RE: Next step
ALL good advice so far. Many clubs generally recomend the 4*s but I am partial to ugly sticks. It is a classic for a reason!
An ugly stick is perhaps the simplest to build, fix, fly and repair GREAT FLYING plane out there...STILL.
I recomend it above all others for a first kit or scratch build. Although the SIG 4* line are really nice building kits.