a few of my friends had duraplanes and they flew awful, go with the avistar. I taught myself on a cox ez bee. 4 wing sets and 2 fuselages later I had saved (somehow) enough money to buy my first nitro arf. Never looked back from then on. crashed 3 trainers in the process. I had no internet or knew nothing about clubs and the ama. the best thing I have ever done tho was to join my club. It is just more fun to be with others that are flying. If I fly by myself I get bored. I like watching as much as flying.