RE: good beginner gas plane
I would recommend the sig LT-40. It is a great trainer with Self recovering flight capabilities. The Kadet senior is also a good plane to learn on, however the wing is quite a bit larger and may not fit into a car. I built a Kadet LT-40 without any help, and it flew well. Make sure you have your AMA card for insurance, and get a qualified RC pilot to help you get started out. It really is worth it. Enjoy.