Okay, I know that i am gonna take a ribbing from a lot of people about this, but I must say that either one will do for a trainer!! The Alpha, will give you some better performance due to its lighter weight, and with a good instructor you should never have to worry about crashing it.

That being said!!! I must admit that the airplane that I train more people on than anything else is SPAD!!! Simple Plastic Airplane Design!!! I have a high wing airplane design that I have made, and most people will have an easier time learning the basics on it than anything else! The reasoning behind it, is that once they realize that the airplane can withstand just about anything, their learning curve comes much faster.

You see, most first time pilot have a GREAT fear of CRASHING!!! Good instructors help make that fear less obstructive, but it is still there. I train most of my students on my SPAD until they area ready for solo. I will then generally let them solo and make a few post solo flights with it until they feel comfortable. I then give them a flight or 2 on the buddy cord with their airplane to get them acclimated to the performance of it. Most of the time, if a former student or club member wants to fly the bird, I had them the transmitter and wish them fun!

All I generally ask of my students, or club members, is that the put gas back in it. If during a crash, I generally only hold the responsible for replacement of the servos, and things of that nature. If they rash it hard enough to break the PVC or Corroplast, I generally have so much fun ribbing them on it that it is worth the $10 for me to fix!!!

I have had my SPAD for to many students to count, and through MANY crashes! The absolute worse one was a crash the ... BLEW UP 4 SERVOS and "REKITTED" and OLD K&B.40. Total cost of replacement was $80. The person responsible was yours truly! Trying to do inverted limbo over a paved runway can be detrimental to your aircrafts life span!!!!

Anyway, whichever trainer you decide on, find a good club and GOOD instructor!! You will be amazed how much easier and enjoyable your flights are!!

Thanks,

Reg