I seldom weigh in on these type discussions because I become the 'voice in the wilderness', but here goes...I started with a .049 and a 2-meter sailplane. Slow, inexpensive and easy to mentally keep up with low-pressure flying. You will still learn the basic hand-eye stuff without flying faster than you can think. You are quickly able to fly solo, which is important for the beginner, since it's inevitable that you'll go out sometime when there's no one to help you. I then went to my SST .40 (see my avitar). I fly with an instructor, but this plane has tought me to be subtle, and not over-control. It is basically a stick-type, but it looks better. Like a stick, it is an excellent flyer and very aerobatic...Way beyond what I'd be flying for a trainer if i didn't have the early sailplane experience first.