Hi Chris
I guess you are referring to the giant Cessna with 120 inch (3m) wingspan and 25 lb (11kg) weight.
I don't think that would be an appropriate choice for Alonsos requirements. He needs to carry a 150g camera in rough field missions. For 150g payload I would choose a plane of max. 2kg. Hand launch and belly landings are mandatory. For his later requirements of 600g payload a 5kg plane must be sufficient. His endurance requirements are much easier to meet using an aerodynamically efficient airframe (glider style) than using a trainer style airframe.
I would use a large airframe like the ASM Cessna 182 only if I have a good runway available (preferrably concrete) and my payload is over 2kg.
Cheers
Reto