Hey PaPa: I suggest if you can make it, go out to your flying field and watch how fast the planes get small. May be someone will let you get some stick time, this is the only way you will really get a feel for how fast they get small. My Tiger will fly at a snails pace so it's not really to bad. But then again, I've been flying for 4 years, and can pretty much tell if the plane is coming, or going. Sounds funny but I think if truth be known, when the plane is in certain attitudes, even the most experienced pilots become disoriented momentarily. Also bigger planes are just more stable in the air, are not affected by the wind as much. If your heart is set on a smaller plane, I would suggest one of the park fliers, since they don't weigh hardly anything, they will usually absorb impact a little better. Remember the smaller they are the closer you have to fly in order to see them. This gives you less time to react. I can almost guarantee you will have a tendency to over control in the beginning. To answer your question bigger will be better, you can go smaller but I would refrain from flying if there is more than a 5 to 7 MPH wind. Check HERR engineerings web site, they make some good sturdy little balsa kits that might survive the first crash with minamal damage. They can be built as elec. or glow. If memory serves 35" to 50" wing spans. But I can not stress something in the 50" to 60 " span enough. Always glad to help if I can. Garry