I started to learn heli's last Summer. But I have a Wing
Dragon 3 channel plane. My question is this, would it
be better to hand launch the plane and belly land it in
the grass. Or should I keep the landing gear & take off
from payment & land on payment? So I would be ready
for the next steps, 4 channels, etc.
Help me get into planes, appreciate your insight.
Thanks

Hand Launch from grass will be nice for those less than perfect landing, just make sure not to throw the plane up, just straight and hard. Better yet get an assistant to do it.

Stick 40

What lipo would work the best for the Wing Dragon plane. I want to
of course get more fly time than what the Nicad will give. Keeping
in mind the weight difference to the CG of the plane. I'm sure the
lipo will weigh much less. Would I need to put some lead in the
nose?

These are my personal opinions:
- LiPo is the way to go.
- I try to stick with the mAh that the manufacturer suggests. So for my cessna plane I only use 1300mAh.

Would that be a 7.4v or 11.1v?

It is a 3S (11.1V) for the cessna T-206.
For the Wingdragon, I think a 2S (7.4v) would be more appropriate. Please check the manufacturer's site before you try this. I am no expert