dhale,
Where are you located in KS? If you are close to the Topeka area I could help you with your delima. I have had a firebird, I had fun with it, but it doesn't fly like a conventional RC plane, and in many ways it is more difficult to fly. It doesn't have an elevator only speed controls up and down, over all conroling is difficult. If you want a toy it is OK, but if you want to get into RC I would recomend something more "advanced". If you are close and want to try a trianer let me know. Also as everyone recomends what ever you do get help learning if you have never flown RC before, its alot more difficult than it looks. RC sims are a great tool, a free one on the internet is FMS, I think it helps alot!!
Jeff