I'm going to try adding a new plane to this list each day. As always, pop me a PM if you have any input!

Today's addition is the Hitec SkyScooter Pro 2. If you decide this is the plane for you, make sure the one you buy is the Pro 2 version, with the 3-channel radio, gearbox, and large-diameter propeller. The original Pro version didn't have a gearbox, and did not fly well in its stock form. The original SkyScooter has a gearbox and big prop, but no throttle...

The SkyScooter Pro 2 is another preassembled, ready-to-fly rig like the Aerobird/Firebird planes. However, there is a major difference. The radio equipment is all standard micro gear, perfect for transfer over to another small plane.

Another major difference is the fact that this plane has ailerons. As I've said many times, there's nothing "harder" about flying a plane with ailerons versus flying a plane with a rudder. On a beginner plane like this one, you won't be able to tell the difference.

One major issue with the 'Scooter is the included charger. It's a cheap timer-controlled device that has been known to not charge the battery properly. You generally need to run the battery through two cycles to get it charged properly. If it were me buying the plane, I would pick up one of the two peak-detect chargers I mentioned earlier in this thread. Luckily, the included charger isn't worth much so you don't feel bad about essentially throwing it away.

An advantage to the 'Scooter is that it's made of some fairly flexible foam. I've flown my dad's into a tree, then crashed it straight into the ground with no damage. Even if you do manage to damage the plane, a little 5-minute epoxy is all it takes to put it back together.

Pretty much everything you need is included for about $169. It's not an item normally kept in stock at local hobby shops, though. Ask around; some may be able to order it for you. There are also many online sources of this plane, including many RCU sponsors.

Hopups: Again, a cheap and quick upgrade is a battery pack with an additional cell. I believe the stock Pro 2 version comes with a 7-cell pack. An 8th cell will give you a ~30% power boost.

People have been known to install a brushless motor in the plane. It makes the plane go like stink and gives it impressive aerobatic capabilities, but it costs more to upgrade to brushless than the plane cost in the first place...

Taping over the underside of the wing to change it from an undercambered airfoil to a flat-bottom cleans the plane up somewhat and makes it a bit faster and more aerobatic. It might be worth a try once you get the hang of flying.

Not really a hopup, but the plane comes as bare foam. You can paint it up with any color scheme you want using foam-safe paints such as Tamiya acrylics from a local hobby shop.