If I were to post how I would do it now, knowing what I didn't know then...

The advice I got to start with the Apprentice I think was one of the best tips I got. It is docile but flies really well. Once you have the basics it will fly inverted, do stall turns and Cuban eights pretty well. It is a blast to float fly with.

I would have started out with the plug and play, though, and a DX7 or 8, and Gens Ace batteries and a quad charger. Nothing wrong with the DX5 it comes with, but with no model memory as soon as you get a 2nd plane you will be wanting a computer radio. DX5 now gets used for RC skydiver, so not a total waste.

From there I got a Radian Pro, which is a good way to start if you are interested in gliders.

I also got an eflite Advance, which I think is a pretty decent first low wing plane.

Then the Handy King came out, and I could fly it on the 3300 4 cells I had for the Advance, plus I had a 60 amp ESC already. Though it is a 3D type mid wing, with rates tame I find it easy to fly. Harrier is easy, and good to practice knife edge and slow rolls on. Being a foamy and relatively inexpensive is a plus, too.

Most recently I got a carbon z yak. Flies excellent. For the price, though, I think I'd do an Extreme flight if I were to do that again.

Other than that, I have a 12' Telemaster kit I am working on, and I'm getting a 110 Rascal.