First flight: check
crosswind: check +
spectators: check +
===
crash: check

Ya gotta wait for perfect conditions with a bird like this. Once you get the controls dialed in and comfortable you could be less strict about conditions. Not trying to put you down or embarass you here, just something to learn from. Others who have tried the U-2 have been bitten by the cross wind and tip stall. Most that I've seen, actually. Much like a scale sailplane, you get too slow and you'll have no control. Things to keep in mind; ; some flaps will help avoid tip stall, some reflex in the ailerons will too. At least 2:1 or 3:1 differential in the ailerons is needed. More travel in the rudder than looks natural. My personal preference with sailplanes, scale or not, is to put a aileron/rudder mix on the landing mode/landing gear switch so you always get rudder mix when close to the ground.

wsmalley, I had been intending to use a turbine in mine, but having left it this long am now considering going the e-power route too. We ought to compare notes. I'm thinking about doing a homebrew conversion of a ram-tech or dynamax fan, since I've got them in a box somewhere and some good, affordable motors are coming out. Shouldn't need too much power/thrust. Should be able to get 10-12 lb thrust out af a conversion - which ought to be plenty for my plane around 20-22 lbs.