OK, I'll try and hit your questions in order.

There are several trainer/engine/radio combos out there. Some are better than others. I would stick with either a Hobbico Nextstar, preferably one without the AFS, or a Hanger 9 Alpha. Stick with a .40 sized plane, it's large enough to see fine, and less expensive than the .60 sizes. Both of those planes are very much almost ready to fly, radio and engine are already installed, fuel tank in, etc. All you'll have to do to finish the plane off is join the wings together, attach the tail feathers with (usually) bolts and nuts, connect and adjust the control linkages (sounds intimidating but it's very easy) and some other minor stuff. If you take your time and very carefully read and re-read the directions it might take you all of three hours to be ready to fly. You'll have to check the plane's balance, but the Nextstar has the marking already on the bottom of the wing for you, you just need your fingertips. You'll also check control throws and adjust them as necessary, but if you have experience with servos and control linkages it will be child's play for you.

Both the planes I mentioned should be less than $400.00, figure another $50.00 or so for ground support gear, most of which I would guess you already have, and a gallon of 10% fuel.

AMA membership, required at nearly every club field and a very good idea in any case, is $19.99 for a three month trial, or $58 for the whole year.

Not every plane comes with engine/radio installed, but it's very hard to save any money buying the components seperatly and installing them yourself.

You can always show up at your local club field and ask questions, you'll have no trouble getting opinions on what trainer to buy, and you might even find someone selling a used trainer/engine/radio combo a lot cheaper than new.


Andy