Greg,

The SPADs are the perfect trainer for the beginning combat pilot! Each one will cost you from 4 to 10 dollars without the engine and electronics. You are going to send one or two in for a dirt nap so I would start cheap. Once you get use to flying 4 foot off the ground chasing the last plane that has a streamer, then you may want to choose another plane, but that is all up to you. Check out the web site, http://www.spadtothebone.com/ and choose one that you like. My favorite is the Corostang. The best thing about the spads is that they can be built fast.