FWIW.... I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND disableing the AFS. The opinions of the MAJORITY of the people who have flown the plane with the AFS activated (at least according to the newsgroups and other locations) range from: "Had to fight the plane all the way up and back down." to "It is THE MOST WORTHLESS PIECE OF JUNK I have ever seen." and everything in between.

Read some of the posts on the NexStar. The plane itself is basically a decent plane. The Evolution engine is excellent, especially for someone just starting out. There have been very few reports of engine problems. The ones that have been reported seem to be the exception, not the rule. (If you want to read about an engine that really has problems, read about the MDS line of engines.)

As with anyone starting out, I HIGHLY recommend you find an instructor and use a "Buddy Box" while learning. I also highly recommend you get a simulator FOR PRACTICING what you learned at that lesson. A sim WILL NOT TEACH YOU HOW TO FLY, but it can and will help you. Teaching yourself to fly has a steep learning curve, is VERY frustrating (and expensive) and usually results in a "rekitting" of the plane within 30 seconds.