What Gizmo said. Find a club, and an instructor [link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/ClubZipLocator.aspx?z=92071]AMA Clubs by Santee - Click Me![/link] You might find a great deal on both a plane and and instructor there. Or else have one of the guys from the club go to a local show with you. Lots of deals there also. It never hurts having a cheap (cost effective) first plane, and a free instructor that likes it. Save the big money for your 2nd plane... - Joe

P.S. Gizmo: He's down by San Diego, CA, he's probably got decent weather most of the year. Lucky dog!