Snow? What's that? I hear you on the budget and space limitations. Sounds like a kit is definitely out for now. Bear with me for a bit more clarification on RTF vs ARFs and then I'll give it a rest. Is this http://www.towerhobbies.com/products...co/hcaa16.html the Avistar RTF package you're looking at? If so, note that it comes with an OS .40 LA engine. While the LA engines are often maligned, they are actually decent economy engines. However, the .40 LA is anemic compared to many of the .45ish ball bearing engines with more powerful porting. If you start with the .40 LA, chances are quite high that you won't want to use it in your second plane, unless you buy a largish .25 size plane and stuff it in. It's unlikely that you would be happy with the performance of the .40 LA in any of the low wing .45 size planes. The .40 LA just isn't strong enough. So, it would be good to consider a more powerful engine from the beginning.

There are several decent .45 size ball bearing engines in the sub $100 range. It's been a while since I ran the numbers, so I did them again. Note that the following scenarios do not include shipping.

Figuring in the current discounts at Tower, which will end tomorrow (but there will be new ones soon after), buying the Avistar ARF, a Futaba 4YF radio (basically the same as the 4VF that comes with the RTF version), and a Magnum .46 would cost $254.97. The price of the Avistar RTF (factoring in discounts) is $254.99. Upgrade to the Thunder Tiger Pro-46 (I think TT engines are better made than Magnum) and the price will go up to $279.97. From a price perspective, the ARF and RTFs are in the same range. From an engine perspective, you're getting a much stronger engine for the same price.

Now, if you're interested in saving some $ (and what college student isn't?), consider the Tower Trainer instead. Buying it with the Futaba 4YF and Magnum .46 would cost $219.97. Upgrade to the TT Pro .46 and it'll run $249.97. Even the RTF package comes with the Tower .46 (mixed reviews on this engine), which will be much more powerful than the OS .40 LA in the Avistar RTF package.

These are just a few examples. There are many more choices.

A downside to the ARF is that you will have to do a bit more assembly than an RTF. This includes gluing the wind halves together, gluing on the tail surfaces, perhaps gluing in the hinges for the control surfaces, mounting the engine, installing the radio, etc. None of this is difficult and the instruction manuals for the beginner planes usually cover these details very well. The upside is that by doing this assembly you are much more familiar with how to assemble and adjust your plane. You'll have a better idea of the things you should inspect before and after each flying session and will know how to make adjustments when something is no longer working right. The skills you learn on an ARF trainer will be a great help when you begin work on your second plane, which may not include instructions that are as thorough.

So anyway, that's the background on why I suggest ARFs instead of RTFs. In the end, the important thing is to choose the one you're most comfortable with, find an instructor, and get out and fly.

PS. They do make [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVPROFIL=++&FVSEARCH=snow+skis&search=Go]snow skis for planes[/link]!