Don't forget there's also an ESC built into the bnf module too. What newby doesn't want to learn to fly with a Mustang.
He just get led it the wrong direction. The Ember is an excellent plane to learn on. Vety basic, tough and easy to fix. The little MSR heli is also an excellent heli to learn on. Very stable for a heli, but it's toughness is its biggest asset. Drive it into a wall, pick it up and go again.
Right now their biggest asset is for indoor flying. Reciever can also be programmed for two cell operation as well as brushless. Guts can be used for whatever your imagination will allow.