I started off with an Aerobird Challenger last year.

While it is advertised as a trainer it flies with some authority and will buck winds that would ground other park fliers. I'd say a 12 mph wind is tops without losing it when the batteries are starting to get depleted. I crashed it several times and had to replace 2 wings ($14)and one tail ($9) and was in the air in less than 1/2 hour (including plucking it out of a crabapple tree) each time.

I liked to take it high and deadstick it as a glider until it almost landed then take it up again. I got about 20 minutes out of each flight doing that. You'll need another battery and I'd recommend the 7 or 8 cell niCad rather than another 6 pack like it came with. It's a fun plane and very forgiving.