RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
Check out the electric planes at hobby-lobby.com. I have delt with them many times and they always deliver. The package is usually at my door in two days. This nice part about dealing with them is all the parts needed to complete the plane are listed with the airplane, so its guaranteed to fly well. They also have video's of most of them. These components can also be used in other planes. There are many other great places on line to buy planes but this is maybe the easiest for a newbie. Good luck.