RE: Makeshift Runway
We do it every day.
The flatter you can make it the better, but smoothly rolling hills aren't a real problem. With a glow plane, replace the stock tires with 3" or larger low bounce tires (rubber, not foam), and it'll go great on grass. Wheel pants are pretty much out too.
Our club runway features some gentle rollers, maybe changing 4" over 10' or so, and we don't notice them much. The donuts left by some MX'er are annoying, but also pose little problem with any of our planes.
Glow planes are generally more tolerant of their environments (rough runways, wind, etc.) than are smaller electrics.
J