I think I have found the place to get some info!
I am going to date myself, but back in the late, late 60's and early 70's, I first got exposed to RC airplanes while in the Air Force in Southeast Asia. I worked on the U2 project, and we had a lot of extra time on our hands, so we built RC's and flew them whenever we could. The ritual was that whenever we rotated back to the states, we would fly our plane out into the harbor or delta, and "let 'r go". Then we would give the guy that was replacing me the controller, and he could build his plane, and repeat the deal. It was great at the time.
Now I have grandkids, and young nephews. They want to fly. I am excited, but i am reticent about getting back into it. A grandpa cant crash. Long story short, need a few ideas for equipment that can get me/us into it, with the idea that the receiver, controller, etc needs to be upgradeable. Any help surely appreciated.