Good thoughts. I'm learning. Thank you.

I like the idea of a separate BEC, since I'm guessing I'd still have control of the plane even if my ESC failed. But I'm curious how the UBEC and the ESC would interact (cutoff voltages and stuff). And to complicate things a little more, I'll be using the CellPro DPM.

I've definitely been considering a more powerful motor. Since I'll be operating at higher density altitudes (Colorado Springs), I'm guessing the 20-50s won't be as powerful for this plane as other people have described. I think I'll want to get the 20-26M series before too long (if I'm gonna to start learning 3D).

It all costs money. My wife has been very supportive & tolerant....so far. Probably better not buy another motor too soon. Hopefully she won't mind if I get a better ESC.

***Small tangent/background***
When I was first choosing my kit (and learning about electric rc), it looked to me like the plane manufacturer's recommendation (the 20-50S) may not be powerful enough for good 3D. He said the plane would come in at 5-8oz, and Hacker says the 20-50s is for 4-8oz planes. I knew that as a new builder, I would probably come in over-weight. And now that it's built, I think I have. I've probably used too much glue and too much paint. It looks like my plane will come in pretty close to 10oz. And then there's the high-altitude factor. Should have followed my gut.