Hello; This is an interesting discussion. My experience is glow, with 4 strokes for the last 15 years, but recently I've noticed electric planes and have bought a few to see what all that's about. I also bought a helicopter recently (Trex 450). I would still advise a newby to look at a LT40. or a PT 40, or a 40 sized telemaster type plane to give them the best chance of success. It always amazes me when newbys come out with P-51's or spitfires, of course it has to look good, but you want a plane that isn't hard to fly. The additional knowledge needed to run an engine will eliminate a few potential pilots. For those, buy an electric trainer.

I fly a Typhoon 3D , and a geebee flatout for electric planes, but I have flown larger electric planes and like the fact that I don'e have to wipe the plane down after every flight. Electric engines are easily powerful enough to do an excellent job on any plane, but there is a cost factor a newby would find shocking. For someone entering the hobby, a consideration is that they don't know if they like flying or not yet, and can't justify investing a lump of cash on something that they might not enjoy doing. Most people who post here are committed (or should be) and will give advice based on their situation. You can listen or not, based on your needs and sensitivities.

Our club trainer for 8 years, was a PT40 with an old Saito 45. That plane taught more then 50 new flyers. Many continued on with their own planes, some dropped out. I gave away that plane, but by then it was so heavy from all the repairs over the years, that it wasn't such a good flyer any more. All the gear went into the next plane, making the initial cost seem less important.