Hi bwells14,

Be warned that this hobby is even more fun than you think it will be! I've done a fair bit of instructing with new pilots at my local flying club, and I'd like to steer you toward the Hobbyzone Super Cub:

http://www.hobbyzonerc.com/Products/...ProdId=HBZ8100

This particular plane has flying characteristics more similar to larger RC aircraft. If you learn to fly with the Super Cub RTF, the skills you develop will transfer over to more advanced models. This isn't necessarily true of other inexpensive "park flyer" aircraft like the Hobbyzone Stratos. I've flown the Stratos, and it has unusual controls and doesn't handle like a typical RC aircraft. The Super Cub also can fly in slightly breezy conditions (5 to 10 mph winds) in a much more stable manner than the Stratos.

You know your budget better than I do, of course. Rest assured that you'll have more fun trying to fly the Stratos than you will have not buying any plane at all. Good luck and good shopping!