RE: Firebird Freedom
yes it is a great plane to start with.
Either this plane or the Firebird challenger (the Orange colored one).
Buy yourself a spare wing for $15 and a tail set also, so there will be no down time when and if you crash. You will crash everyone crashes, but the good news is that it is a crash worthy plane and can be repaired easily and cheap.
Buy 2 extra batteries so you can fly without having to wait 1 hour inbetween flights.
Gryphon