You are talking about the Nexstar. Save your money and pass on the plane. The AFS is more trouble and aggrevation than it is worth and you can D/L the FMS simulater for free (IMHO, as good or better than the free sim included ).

I suggest the following:

1. Get an instructor. Clubs provide instruction at no charge. The AVERAGE first flight of someone trying to teach themselves to fly is USUALLY less than 30 seconds and normally results in damage to the plane.

2. Do not get one of the RTF setups. The radios are a base level 4 channel with few (if any ) ammentiies. The engines provided are OK to marginal for the trainer, but rarely useable in a second plane.

3. I suggest a 40 size trainer ARF (It is a nice size for stability and visibility without being overly large ). Get a USER FRIENDLY ball bearing 46 engine (Thunder Tiger Pro, OS 46 FX/AX, Evolution are all user friendly engines - 99% run great right out of the box ). Get a 6 channel (or more ) COMPUTER radio. With some careful shopping you should be able to come in very close in cost to the RTF setups.

My reasoning/logic for my suggestions is:

1. MOST trainers fly pretty much the same. By getting an ARF (Almost Ready to Fly ) initially, you do not have to worry about building something wrong or building a warp into the plane. In addition, you will not have the emotional attachment to the plane as you would if you built it yourself. A trainer is to learn on. Expect it to get beat up and damaged while you are learning.

2. The engines I suggested above are user friendly. By user friendly, I mean they require less "fiddling with" to get running properly. Tower and GMS engines (among others ) are also good engines, but require a lot more fiddling with to get running properly. The engines I suggested are powerful and are very useable for a 2nd, 3rd or later plane. By purchasing the better engine initially you save money by not having to buy another engine later (although you probably will anyway , the hobby does become addictive )

3. While you don't NEED a 6 channel (or more ) COMPUTER radio to start with, MANY fliers find that by their 3rd or 4th plane they would like the additional channels (flaps, retracts ) and features (can store several models in memory, end point adjustment of servos, mixing, electronic trims, etc ). The difference in cost between a non computer radio and a computer radio is minimal - typically about $25.00. Again, this saves you money in the long run by not having to buy another radio. I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND going to your flying field and seeing what brand of radio the MAJORITY of people there are using and get that brand. Different brands are more popular in different parts of the country. While you are there find out which channels are the LEAST used and get the radio on one of those channels. This will minimize your chances of accidentally being shot down and also minimize/eliminate your waiting time for the channel to be clear so you can fly.

You might also want to check at your local flying field to see if anyone has a USED trainer setup. Frequently you can get a complete used trainer setup (along with ammenties/freebies thrown in ) for about 1/2 the cost of an RTF.

Hope this helps.