dallab,

I started out with a Megatech Merlin. Its big and slow and rudder elevator only, and I taught myself. But, after a few weeks it got boring.

I opted to move up to a .40 size glow trainer (SIG LT-40), the Merlin DID NOT prepare me for the glow trainer.

I have since bought a Virus 400a. Its also from NESailplanes. Its got a speed 480 and has about 60" wingspan. It is pretty good as an aileron trainer. Had I not went to glow, I probably would have taught myself ailerons with the Virus.

The Amptique they recommended is also a 3 channel model (from what I saw).

But, like I said before, anything you can handle as a novice you WILL outgrow. and anything you won't outgrow you probably can't handle as a novice.

All I can say is "Gentlemen, get out your checkbooks" :-)

GB