I'm looking for my first trainer too having built a couple of static scale models in the past and have done a lot of research recently trying to make the "right" decision. BAMAFLY's suggestion of the SIG Kadet LT-40 is probably the way i'm going to go, all the reviews and comments i've seen on this plane have been good, its available both as a kit or as an ARF (personally i'm going with the kit to gain some knowledge of building an R/C aircraft which will help for future projects i'm sure and the plans for the LT-40 are apparently very good). Some comments i've seen suggest a .46 engine too to give the plane better balane (seems to be a little tail heavy with a .40) plus the extra power available should be good to learn basic aerobatics too