Jack:

If you go into glow power, I'll go with Minn on this one. I've seen the Alpha, it's really a nice flying plane.

Another you might consider is the "NextStar" that Hobbico has just released. It has the capability of having a lot of the trainer limitations removed, allowing the plane to grow with your growing skill level. But it's $100 more than the Alpha.

Electric has definite advantages, though. You can get a pretty nice RTF for $100, and you don't have to buy all the stuff that is not included in the $300 or $400 price of the glow trainers.

If you decide to go electric, almost any of the three or more channel planes will do, you want to have at least a real rudder, and elevator control along with the throttle. I would not recommend the ones with aileron/elevator and throttle to start, they are generally more difficult to fly. And the ones that have just motor control are barely above the level of a child's toy - we want a man's toy.

Besides the lower capital investment in the RTF electrics there's another BIG consideration. You are going to crash the plane if you don't have an instructor. And maybe even if you do. The electrics are a lot more resistant to damage when you find the ground grabbing yoour plane, and they are usually really easy to repair when the damage is more than a ding in the wing. A glow powered wooden plane can be totalled without a lot of effort, and without too big a mistake.

So if you have good club support, or just a buddy who is a flier, the glow planes are really the way to go. If you're by yourself then definitely stick with the RTF electrics for the first two or three planes, then switch to glow, or the fancier electrics if you decide to stay electric.

Bill.