Ditto on the Avistar as a first plane. Have had my first one for almost 3 years and many, many flights. I crashed it just before Christmas 2002 and bought myself another one as a present to me. Rebuilt the first one and it flies just fine. Both planes have performed great. They are a little tricky in the wind and if there is one thing you will learn with this plane if you build it with all the supplied hardware, will be to land properly. The landing gear can be a bit springy and make good and sure that the planes stance is either level or a little nose down when sitting on the ground. Otherwise, it may have a tendancey to jump back in the air on a not so crisp landing. All in all, after seeing all the trainers out there, (both new and old), you won't be dissapointed in the way the Avistar handles. Can be very gentle when first learning but can do some moderately impressive stuff with higher rates.

Just get out and enjoy it....

T.