i just finished training with my alpha... it's the only plane i've flown but i love it. it's easy to take off and land but know that i've soloed I can still do some decent aerobatics. It's an all round good solid aircraft. I have over 30 flights on her and she flies like the first time she went up. Granted like anybpdy learning you have the odd hard landing. but the alpha will take the beating. very easy to operate and fles smoothly in the air. great all round plane!