I started with a Firebird Commander and my second plane was the Slow Stick. You can fly the SS very high even on NiMH batteries although LiPo's are much better performers. They are also not a very good choice for a new pilot because they can be damaged in a crash and have been know to catch fire. I use my Firebird 6 cell and some similar 7 cell 1100 mAh NiMH batteries on my Slow Stick and can easily get 15 minute flight times. After breaking a prop on my first "flight" (and I use the term loosely) I installed a prop saver and haven't broken another prop yet. I made one from a spare servo arm. You can see it at:
http://www.knology.net/~suggs/planes/SS_propsaver.jpg
There are many different ways to do this - just do a search on the forum for "prop saver". GWS sells a prop saver also.
If you really like the pushers you might think about the Multiplex Easy Star. There are several threads on this plane so you can get lots of pointers. I bought one so I could fly in higher winds than the SS and have had a lot of fun with it. It is even easier to fly than the SS but is more of a sailplane so don't expect agressive aerobatics. You can get it very high as well - especially when you catch a thermal. 20 minute flights on my 7 cell are the norm.
Good luck and have fun. I surely am!