JR,
The Aeron would be a pretty good choice for your first plan build as all the wing ribs are the same shape & size so you can easily manufacture them using the 'sandwich' method. This comprises of you making two templates from ply or acrylic, cutting a set of rectangular balsa blanks, bolting the whole lot together and then cutiing & sanding down to the templates... voila a set of ribs

The rest of the build is as simple as it gets, all stick and sheet. I think there are some CNC cut parts to mount the servos to but you can fabricate them from balsa with 1/16 ply to take the servo screws.... not too sure as i don't have the plans in front of me right now.

Not sure about the Aerons ultimate 3D abilities and that wing design will limit it - theoretically - compared to a tapered wing, but as I sais, it'll be a good first build.

Have fun,
Dragon