PeterY321,
Welcome to a great Hobby !!!
The first step, and the most important, you already did it, and that is ASKING QUESTIONS to the right people before doing anything !
You will be 100% safe if you find either a Club and/or a responsible instructor. After 30+ years in R/C, I have always seen that the best help comes for free. A true R/C`er will teach you everything he knows for the only price of seen you Solo-Flight and become succesfull in the hobby. As for what to buy, you should wait until you find a GOOD instructor, he/she will lead you to a good deal locally. If you can`t wait, I personally recommend you get a new SIG brand KADET LT-40 A.R.F. model, with an O.S. MAX brand .46FX engine and an economical 4 channel Radio system ( with rechargeable batteries ) from either FUTABA, JR, TOWER HOBBIES or AIRTRONICS brands. The SIG KADET comes with an instruction booklet that is very helpfull. Remember this; an A.R.F. model will need work from your part, and you will have to assemble airframe parts, install all the radio gear, and install the engine plus tank and fuel lines, so it will be fun anyways. You shoud assemble it yourself because that will teach you many things that you need to know later as you grow in the hobby, your instructor will assist you on verification and airworthiness of your model. As for my part, I will be more than glad to help you, feel free to drop me ALL the questions that come up via e-mail, I`ll do my best to help you out. My address
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Don`t forget: ASKING ????`s will keep you out of trouble and put you in the air much-much-much sooner. Johnny