I'm going to go with the Hangar 9 40 RTF, but I'm biased since that's what I learned on. For reference, I started flying this past April, and picked everything up fairly quickly. I'm now on my second plane, a H9 Pulse XT. Here's the pros and cons to the Alpha RTF in my experience:
Pros
1. Goes together very quickly - I bought my plane on Saturday and took it to the flying field to start my training on Sunday.
2. The included Evolution engine starts very quickly, easily, and provides plenty of power. This was my instructors first experience with the Evolution, and he was fairly impressed with it. To date, it really hasn't let me down.
3. The included flywheel and three bladed prop give good engine reliability at idle speed, and keeps the plane slow for training purposes. But, when you get more advanced, you can knock the flywheel of the prop driver and switch to a two-bladed prop for greater power and speed.
4. Increase the throws, and swap out the flywheel and three bladed prop and you have yourself quite a performer. I can get my plane to do square turns and basic manuevers. Despite have a more maneuverable plane, I still love taking my trainer out and throwing it around.
5. Parts and upgradeability - I admit, I got in a little over my head and really had good crash when I was flying this plane inverted. I was able to repair the wing and salvage the tail feathers, but had to buy a new fuselage (although someone with more skill probably could have repaired it). However horizon hobby has all the parts for this plane, so I just got a new fuse and got back to flying. Also, the Alpha is a very standard design, so there's nothing tricky about any modifications you want to do. I now have mine on floats.
6. Great flying airplane. My instructor is a big fan of the Sig LT-40, like many here, but he was just as happy flying this airplane. Like any decent trainer, it doesn't have any bad habits, lands easy and can take the abuse of a few rough landing. Trust me, I know.[>:]
Cons
1. A little more expensive than some other trainers. But considering the $ you'll be spending as you get further into this hobby, the cost difference between the Alpha and other trainers isn't all that great.
2. The radio system is basic. While it's doing me fine for my first two planes, I'm kind of wondering what I'm going to do in the future because I want a plane that's more scale (retracts, flaps, etc.) And before I can do that, I'm going to have to shell out more $$ for a new transmitter.
3. They directions for the RTF say to use the included tape to tape the wing halves together. I did this at first, and it worked fine, but eventually the fuel will get to it. I suggest just epoxying the wing halves together to begin with.
4. While it is an RTF, double check and make sure all the screws and fastners are tight. Even though, you'll notice things starting to shake loose after a few flights. It's no big deal, as you have to do this with any plane, but be aware.
So there's my two cents. I'm attaching a couple of images of my plane, just cause I like showing it off
