I'm researching what I need to get back involved in the hobby. I took some lessons and had a trainer plane set-up about 10 yrs ago but circumstances required me to sell the plane and gear and get out of the hobby. I want to buy quality gear that will last and allow me to keep using it as my skills advance.

As far as a trainer plane, I've done a lot of reading and it seems most people tend to recommend the plane they learned on as a good trainer. I've also read that most of the trainer planes are quite similar. I'd like to build my plane from a kit since I think creating something from a box of wood and flying it is part of the reward of model aircraft. I'm leaning toward a Sig LT-40.. From what I've hard its a well constructed kit, sturdy plane, and a little larger than other trainers. Any other suggestions?

Any comments on converting my trainer plane to a tail dragger and beginning my flight training with it? I figure pretty much all the planes I'm thinking of flying in the future will be tail draggers so I figure why not start out learning on one.

Any suggestions on radio gear? I want something that I can buy once and use now and on models down the road when my skills and aircraft become more advanced. I was thinking about a 6-channel computer radio such as the Futaba 6EXAS. (not committed to Futaba just always had good experiences with futaba from back in my RC car days)

Thanks for any suggestions, I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future.

Nedd