When flying with an instructor, the Arrow won't present any more of a challenge than the Alpha will. You might even like the way the Arrow handles better in windy conditions. Both the H9 Arrow and Alpha are terrific trainer aircraft and either will be great to learn on.

When you're shopping, remember that in addition to the RTF airplane package that includes engine and radio, you're going to need some basic field equipment to start and maintain your airplane. You'll need a fuel pump, glow ignitor w/ charger, fuel cap kit with fuel line, prop/glow wrench, and a starting stick or electric starter and field battery as well as a bottle of glow fuel to get your plane up in the air.

Hangar 9 makes a nice little field kit that includes most of what you need in one box:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...rodID=HANSTART



You might also want to take a peek at the Thunder Tiger Easy Trainer 40H Super Combo:

[link=http://www.thundertiger4u.com/easy-trainer-super-comboblue-free-side-kick-p-13081.html?osCsid=1ddcfaff92acd221b9f17978943fbf50]Easy Trainer 40H Super Combo[/link]

It's a semi-symmetrical winged trainer with engine and radio system like the Arrow 40. It comes with the Side Kick field accessories included at no additional charge. It comes delivered to your door for $259.99, or about $100 less than the Arrow .40 RTF with field accessories.

You can read a review of the Easy Trainer .40 Super Combo here:

http://www.masportaviator.com/ah.asp?CatID=1&ID=124

The Alpha .40 RTF and Arrow .40 RTF packages are both superb airplanes. If you don't mind spending the extra $100, you'll be happy with any of these three high quality trainer packages.