Contrary to some of the advice given, I suggest NOT BUYING AN RTF. The majority of RTF's come with a base level radio and (in most cases ) a BUSHED 40 size engine.

The radios are usually a 4 channel radio with few (if any ) ammenities and the engines, while OK to marginal for a trainer, are rarely useable for a second plane due to lack of power.

I suggest buying an ARF for your trainer. This is because when you build (and are inexperienced at it ) you may accidentally build in a warp. This WILL AFFECT the flying of the plane. An ARF removes this possibility and also removes the emotional attachment that occurs when building. Remember, a trainer is to learn on. Expect it to get beat up, damaged, etc.

I suggest getting a USER FRIENDLY ball bearing 46 size engine. OS FX/AX, Thunder Tiger Pro and Evolution engines are very user friendly - 99% run great right out of the box. There are other excellent engines out there, however, many of them require more "fiddeling" with to get running properly.

For a radio I suggest getting a 6 channel (or more ) COMPUTER radio. Yes, as a beginner you will not be using a lot of the features. You will find that as you get into the hobby you will want/need the additional features, often by your 3rd or 4th plane (flaps, retracts, multiple models in memory, mixing, etc ).

I also suggest going to the flying field and seeing which brand is MOST used by the people there and get that brand - manuals are nice, but a live, experienced person is better. Also find out which are THE LEAST USED CHANNELS. Get you radio on one of those channels. It will minimize your chances of being accidently shot down and maximize your flying time since you will not have to wait for the channel to clear before you can use it.

With some careful shopping you can frequently come within (or less ) than the price of an RTF and have a better engine and radio for other planes.

Good luck with your decisions.