Here's the problem I see with recommending something like an Ultimate. If built lightly and straight they are great planes to fly. I don't think anyone disputes that.

But to recommend it to a beginner or someone who hasn't flown RC for decades I think isn't the best advice.

The conversation has been how smooth, stable and easily it flies. But the problem is it is designed for aerobatics and thus when the beginner gets confused, disoriented or whatever, he can't just let go of the sticks and let the plane right itself because it's designed to be neutrally stable which means going where it's pointed without rotating on any axis unless told to do so.

I didn't see if Bob said how good of a pilot he was back when, but if he was beginner or intermediate when he left the hobby then the Ultimate may be even worse.

I had a very turbulent young adulthood. That means broke a lot. So a lot of times I couldn't afford model airplanes but I've never considered myself to be "out" of the hobby at any time - even times when I was gone for a decade. Usually I would start off with a trainer again just to get into the swing of things. I did notice most of those times I didn't really need a trainer. I didn't fly with a lot of precision or style, but I always knew which way to move the sticks regardless of whether the plane was coming or going.

So in that sense he may be fine with an Ultimate.

I think the best thing for Bob to do is go to a local field, talk to some people, see if someone will give him some stick time on a trainer and see if he thinks he's up to something more advanced or needs more trainer time.