OK...

Is that $150 for just the plane or the whole set-up? (Plane, radio, engine, support equipemtn?) If so, your choices will be very limited..

You'll be looking at second hand planes & radios, & engines. Check your local club(s) You can usually find someone who'se willing to part with a plane for cheap.

If just the plane:

ARFs are genneraly more expencive than the 'Build it Yourself' kits. But most of teh building & covering is done for you..

.40 sized (0.4 cubic inch displacement glow fuel) are typical, and have about a 55" wingspan. Go with Sig or Great Planes, as they are more well known. You can get smaller or larger, but I think most will tell you, that this is a good starting point.

Just about all 'trainers' are within your price range; $150. You just need to shop around. But you'll still beed an engine (about antoher $80 - $100), and radio ($150+), and some basic tools. Fuel as well, will set you back about $10.

Hobbico have a package deal, plane, radio, and engine for about $300 - $500 (it's $469Can at a local shop, do the conversion..) And is probably the best way to go.

As long as you join a local club, most wil lend out the tools & starting equipment, not to mention loads of advice!

Flight times are based on the fuel tank size. Your flight time will be short if you fly at full throttle, longer at 1/2 or 1/3 throttle. Expect a typical .40 sized trainer to fly for 10 minutes at 1/2 throttle. There's a thread in the 'general chatter forum polling flight times. I beleive you'll find 10 - 15 minutes is average. And as a begoinner, you'l fine 5 minutes will take an eternity!

I hope that lends a start.