I'm new at the hobby, well, dabbled a couple times (crashed teaching myself, dumb, and built a plane 90% still in my garage, but, I just went through the what plane dilemma.

As I said, I have tried to get into the hobby for a long time. My first real, successful, enjoyable experince came about 2 years ago when I saw the Firebird XL (this model is discontinued, but several firebirds still in production). This is a very basic 2 channel plane that has not 3, but 2 channels. Throttle (which, by the way, is what you should use to go up and down, not elevator), and rudder. To go higher, more throttle, to turn, rudder. After years of yearning, and one terrible attempt at teaching myself a 40 size glow trainer, I finally got a plane that I truly got to enjoy. They are made of styrofoam, and repairs are as simple as some packing tape.

It got a little boring pretty quick, but I think the Firebird's are an excellent plane if you insist on learning alone.

However, if your money allows, I would go buy a 40 size trainer, with a radio and engine. I bought the Nexstar and don't regret it a bit, beautiful plane, engine starts on the first try, and so far, I think it's very easy to fly. However, don't try to learn with a glow trainer, or 4 channel plane of any type, electric or whatever, without an experienced instructor. I learned this the hard way. Slow flying electric "park flyers" like the Firebird, yes, go for it, but the real deal fully flyable aircraft, find a club and get help. You won't regret it!

Tim