I purchased the Nexstar Select RTF as my first glow trainer. I liked the bolt-on wing, the bundled flight simulator, and the high quality O.S. .46 FXi engine that were included. I didn't like the ALS system which had to be disabled in order to fly the plane.

The Nexstar is a good trainer and very easy to learn to land with. It doesn't handle windy conditions as well as other airframes that are available, however. The steep angle of the wing dihedral and the long wing chord make the Nexstar a handful in breezy (15mph+) wind conditions.

If I were to buy another Nexstar, I'd buy the ARF. I'd pair it with the Thunder Tiger Pro .46 engine and a 6-channel computer radio like an Airtronics VG6000 or a JR Sport SX600. The Nexstar doesn't need the extra channels, but computerized trim controls are really handy and it would be nice to have a radio system with mixing and programming features that can store multiple model setups in memory as you grow with the hobby.

I ended up buying a full-blown simulator package shortly after purchasing my Nexstar, the included simulator only tends to wet your appetite for a simulator with more planes and flying fields. The included simulator is helpful while you're training, but it is easily outgrown once you've mastered the basics of flight.

If it's often windy where you fly (15mph+ winds are common), then I'd recommend getting the Avistar ARF instead of the Nexstar. It's narrower wing chord and shallower dihedral angle make it much easier to handle in windy conditions. The recommend engine and radio would still apply.

Good luck and good shopping!