Yes, the Alpha 40 is a good trainer. I worked with a fellow flier last year who has one. I found it to be a very good flying plane, good enough that I've just picked up an Alpha 60 that I'm going to use as to train other pilots on. The one I picked up had damage to both wings and I did a [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6260724/tm.htm]repair thread [/link] on it.

At the minimum you'll want a glow plug igniter, electric start, fuel, fuel filler like a Du-Bro Kwik-Fill or similar. They'll run you somewhere around $50 - $75 depending on where you can pick them up. Just don't skimp when you buy this equipment as it'll be with you for quite a while.

Before you make the plunge and get your plane, get with an instructor at a local club and see what they may prefer. They may also be able to point you to a good used trainer for a lot less than a new setup. And what ever you do, find an instructor to teach you how to fly - your trainer should last a long time that way. Go it alone and you'll probably get 20 seconds out of your plane.

Hogflyer