PaPa,

The planes you listed are not "scale" planes, at least the ones that I know of.

"Scale planes" are those with the same looks, and flying characterisics as "real" planes, such as (my new favorite) the "Super Decathlon" a.k.a. "Citabria" (Airbatic spelled backswards). Other "scale" planes might be a P-51, Cessna 182, Piper Warrior, or any replica, scaled down.

The Avistar is what I decided to purchase as my first trainer, though I think the SuperStar is easier and smoother (yes, I've flown both), but the SuperStar with it's flat bottom wing and greater amount of dihedral, will have it's limitations, where as the Avistar has a semi-symmetrical wing design, and is designed as an aerobatic trainer, and should last you longer (as a trainer) before you get bored and move on to your second plane.

The PT-40 also looks nice and has nice hardware to go with it.

SOme of the planes in your list are ARFs, like the Avistar, I don't think it's sold as a "kit" only.

I may be wrong, but I wouldn't mind if I was because I could use some parts from a "kit" to rebuild the Avistar I recently crashed.

In your list of supplies, I see that you forgot the pushrods, control horns, and clevises. But it seems as if you're on your way.

Don't worry about PCM, PPM or whatever, you can get a "co-pilot" and use it in the same way using one of your extra channels on your radio (if you got one that has more than 4).