The above advice is right on. I have an Alpha 40, and have had great luck with it. Like they said, if you can afford the extra $100 for the 60 size, it will be much easier to see in the air, and less affected by wind. The three blade props they come with really slow the plane down. After I soloed, and broke the last of my three blade props, I went to an APC 11x6, and it is like a whole new plane.

After talking with some of the other trainees at my club, and hearing how much time they spent getting their ARF trainers in the air, I am very glad to have gotten the RTF package. It doesn't teach you anything about building (until it starts to break), but it does get you in the air fast.

As for my "until it starts to break" comment, I just had a few minor issues where glue joints in my Alpha failed and needed to be reinforced. I would recommend that the firewall, horizontal stab, vertical stab, and wing joint all be reinforced with epoxy and tri-stock (except, no tri-stock on the wing ). I had my firewall pop out on an early hard landing, but after reinforcing it, I have hit hard enough for the nosewheel to make skid marks on the fuselage without damage.

You can definitely get in the air cheaper by going with a tower trainer ARF, and buying an engine and radio. This would let you choose your engine and radio for personal preference, but I don't think you would get in the air much faster than with an Alpha RTF.

Good luck.