Maethor, welcome. Most, myself included, will suggest starting with a 40 sized (uses a 0.40 cu.in engine or similar) trainer. This is generally considered the “standard” entry level airplane. I hear the poor college student part… been one myself, but it was quite awhile ago. The cold reality of the situation is that a “typically” beginner setup, when everything is included, plane, flight gear, tools, membership dues, etc., puts you in the $500 range on average.

However, it can be done cheaper, sometime a lot cheaper. I’d suggest something along the lines of this plane. It is RTF (Ready to fly.) Engine and radio is installed and setup. I think you tighten a screw, maybe put a piece of tape, charge up, fuel up and go – very quick and simple. It would also carry about any camera setup you could think of.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCXF4**&P=7

It is $250 new. But you’d still need flight gear, club membership, etc., which will probably push you into the $400 range. My suggestion is to find the local clubs in your area, and talk to the members. Often many will have a complete used trainer system they will sell cheap or sometimes even give away. Also, most clubs run auctions where you can buy everything you need for pennies on the dollar. You can find a listing of AMA clubs at www.modelaircraft.org

The issue others and I will take with the firebird you mentioned is that it is more of a flying toy. They really don’t handle well in the air, can’t deal with anything more than a light breeze, they lack ailerons. $140 for the firebird vs $250 for the tower trainer… the tower trainer is 10 times the plane for less than double the cost.

Aluminum is generally not used for structure because of weight, and it is also overkill strength wise. Aluminum is much heavier than traditional model builds using balsa, foam, film coverings, etc. More durable, probably, but the durability comes at a huge weight penalty. The only aluminum found in planes is generally landing gear and engine bits. I have seen some honey comb aluminum plate used before, but it too is overkill. For super light weight application where strength is still needed, Nomex honeycomb is used, either faced with glass or carbon. But this type of material and build technique isn’t really a beginner item, not to mention the stuff costs an arm and a leg.