i have the extra easy 2 and absolutely love it, but the Alpha 60 is a much better plane because you start off with a bigger engine which can be used later in another plane and the plane is much more sturdy,.... the aluminum Tube that holds the wing together is much bigger in the Alpha 60 than in the XE2, ..... for the most part, the alphs 60 and XE2 are the same plane, just about the same dimensions and same flying characteristics ...... all except for the bigger engine on the Alpha......... i learned to fly by myself on the XE2 and never had a crash because the thing just doesnt want to fall, all it wants to do is fly .... but i do think that a bigger engine would have helped with its performance. I'd go with the Alpha 60.