By far the best first kit in my opinion is the Balsa USA Stick trainer. It is much better than any other trainer for the following reasons:

1. Very simple fuselage: Just 2 hardwood sticks with a small box on top!

2. The engine, tank and nosewheel (if trike) is "out in the open" making them easier to install, set up and maintain and adjust. The tank is in the open, no question how much fuel is left!

3. The Pushrods are "out in the open" making them easier to set up and maintain.

4. Flat bottom wing is very easy to build.

5. Sheet tail feathers mount on the SQUARE fuselage sticks. Very strong and very easy to align properly.

6. The aircraft is VERY rugged and simple. Also because it is so simple it is much easier to repair than any other trainer.

Conclusion: Easiest to build, easiest to set up, easiest to maintain and as easy to fly as anything else.

PLUS it's cheaper than all the rest. What more do you want?