I have the Xtra Easy 2 and its a great plane. I never had the option of learning with an instructor, i had to learn on my own and the XE2 helped me to do so very easily. HOWEVER, i think you should go with the Alpha 60 if you get something. Its a bigger engine, bigger plane ...... therefore more wing area for better stability and more power for when you want to move on after the trainer to something better...... The Evolution Training Power System is nice and reliable, but is really underpowered for the XE2's size. So i would def. look into the Alpha 60.