Minnflyer's site is really good. Should be required reading for anyone getting into the hobby. As for specific trainer recommendations, the Hobbico Avistar I mentioned above is my first choice. It's pretty good in the wind and can do basic aerobatics when trimmed for it. And yes, when you visit the metroplex shoot me a message here and we'll try to get together at the field. I'm putting a trainer plane together now for instructing so I may be able to buddy box you then.