I'm in the same boat. I'm getting back into it after about 8 years away from the hobby. I just bought a Hobbico Avistar Select. It's a .40 sized semi-symetrical, high wing trainer. It tracks and rolls much better than the flat bottomed trainers.

I got mine from Tower Hobbies for $279. This is the "Select" version. It comes with almost everything you need except flight line stuff. It comes with an OS .40LA and all servos installed plus a Futaba 4VF 4 channel radio. Build time is about 20-30 minutes. This kit has a nice solid metal spar for the main wing, so no need for fiberglass. I don't think the basic Avistar kits have the spar, but I could be wrong.

Of course, the 20-30 minutes doesn't cover the time it takes to charge the batteries.

This is probably the fastest way to get back into it.

But, flying is not like riding a bike, as I found out last month. I got anxious and went flying by myself. Took off OK, made a few tentative turns, then brain faded during an oncoming right turn (rolled right when I should have rolled left), lost a bunch of altitude and became one with a tree.

My second Avistar will not fly without the assistance of an instructor and I will get re-certified for solos before I go it alone again.

Also - it's a bit expensive, but I just got the RealFlight R/C simulator from Great Planes. I would highly recommend this as well. For $200, you can practice on your computer with the included radio (plugs into a USB port) and a very realistic looking/behaving set of over 15 planes. And each crash doesn't cost you a plane, but you still get good experience.


Check out:

http://www.hobbico.com/airplanes/hcaa16.html

www.realflight.com

Good luck!