I went 4 traditional balsa trainers during my first 6 months of learning to fly. I lost a few to "dumb thumbs", I lost one to a mid-air (and I wasn't flying it either). After the last trainer went into the dirt, I decided that there had to be something a little more "crash resistant" so I did some checking around for alternatives.

Take a look at the Titan link (http://www.tufflight.com/titan.html) and see what you think.

I bought one of the Enduros and it is the best money I have spent so far. I have literally beat the hell out of that thing and it keeps flying. I have cart-wheeled by Enduro, buried it nose first - even had a guy somersault the thing on landing then took off again - and it takes the abuse.

Another place you could check out is www.spadtothebone.com where there is another alternative to the brittle balsa models that don't handle kissing the ground real well. There are plans and a hell of a group of folks that can and will answer your questions and help in any way they can. They also have a trainer that you might want to look into as well (http://www.spadtothebone.com/SPAD/Debonair/)

With either of these models, you spend less money and it will handle the abuse that beginners put them thru (ask me how I know)

Just my 2 cents worth,

Crash Master
(Crashing with finese is an art)