I'm sure I'm going to catch flak here......

But as a first plane...
I would suggest a Duraplane.

I have one...and still fly it as my "Get relaxed" plane every time I go out!

It offers just enough building to give you some small idea how to maintain the beast....( a skill you WILL need no matter what you fly!)

And I have yet to see another plane CARTWHEEL....5-6 times...nose, right wing tip, tail, left wing tip, Nose..ect..ect...ect..and not even have a single area of damage other than the Duraplane!

Yes you can destroy one.....(I put one into a tree at ..ohhh...about MACH 2 after rolling out of an full throttle inverted pass ... that needed a BIT OF REPAIR )

I've seen guys at the field with LT-40's that banged them up after 1 or 2 "Landings???...Yeah the pieces were on the ground.....so that counts as a "Landing" I guess)..they went home with servos...engine..fuel tank, and not a heck of a lot more!

Remember...Even birds don't "learn" how to fly without a few bumps and bruises...Get a plane that you can "heal Up" quickly and get back into the air!

Most of my "Field Repairs" on my duraplanes have been with a roll of clear shipping tape and CY Gold (Foam safe) glue.!


Remember...this is just my 2 cents rounded to the nearest nickle....
Opposing viewpoints are welcome!

Larry