What is your total budget for your first plane, radio, and all that you need to get in the air. You were looking at the Typhoon, so I presume it was at least $250, and closer to $300.
Confirmed?
Does it have to be RTF?
Will you do some assembly and install the electronics?
Are you interested in kits?
Do you have any flying experience?
If you just want to get your feet wet, real cheap, check out the air hogs aeroace. People are raving about this $30 two channel plane. It is not, what I would call a trainer. More of a fun toy, but a lot of experienced pilots are buying them.
Here are some, RTF packages for you to consider. I don't normaly recommend these as first planes but many people have self taught on them. They are not as stable as the ones above but better able to handle the new flyer, self trining crash alot than the Typhoon, which is CLEARLY not intended for new flyers. These are about as advanced as I would push for a self trianer, and since they are made of foam and plastic, they can stand up to some serious abuse and still be quicly fixed and put back in the air.
I still recommend you start with one of the planes above, but if your stubborn streak demands something a bit more lively then look here.
F27-Stryker B - RTF - $170
(Not the Stryker C)
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdId=PKZ1200
Discussion
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233
Video
http://rc-galaxy.com/Video/F-27_Stry...ris_7-9-04.wmv
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...240x180_nb.wmv
http://www.break.com/index/planenuts9.html
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=392
Multiplex Space Scooter - RTF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZV5&P=7
ARF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZV4&P=7
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=548
Video
http://www.bungymania.com/videos/fil..._sun_stunt.wmv
http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi...aceScooter.wmv
Brushless - 2 cell Lipo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MnPuV8Zlhc
Multiplex Magister - RTF - $299
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZV3&P=ML
This plane is much larger than the others
Close to a .40 glow trainer in size
Reviews
http://www.smoothair.ca/reviews/Magister/magister.htm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=519
Going busheless
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=621
Discussion
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309397
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248624
Touch and Gos
http://www.plawner.org/video/magister_touchngoes.wmv
Video - Take off from grass - standard motor/battery
http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi.../magister1.wmv
Towing up a glider
http://plawner.org/video/Magister_easy.wmv
Video - This is not with the standard motor
this plane has an upgraded brushless motor
http://plawner.org/video/magister_te...ister_test.wmv
BeginAir - RTF or Receiver ready
RTF - $180
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/begin-air.html
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=443
video
http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi...3/BeginAir.wmv
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445663
Cesna 182 - 4 Channel RTF - $180
http://www.ewebcart.com/cgi-bin/cart...=1&item_id=144
Includes 72 MHz radio and wall charger.
Sku# 4303 $179.99 4 Channel with 72 MHz Radio
(Intermediate Level Recommended)
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/cessna_long_movie.html