I started flying R/C with an xcell .60. After quite a few crashes and lots of money spent on parts I backed up by buying a Concept .30 and a trainer airplane. The trainer got me used to full forward flight. The concept got me to fly helis much cheaper. After building my confidence and skill level with the .30 size machine the xcell was then easy to transiton into. Did not have computer simulators back then though. I would say if you start with a simulator you could skip the .30 size machine. However there is nothing wrong with a .30. It will be a while before you need to worry about 3D manuvers but the Rappy is very capable of doing them. Today I still fly a .30 size as well as 2 xcells. I usually warm up on the .30 then fire up the xcells. As far as radios go I would recomend at least one with programable pitch rates. These make a big difference in your setting up, and set up makes all the difference in "flyabilty". You will want as much in your favor as possible when starting out. Do not let a few bucks stand in your way. The cost of one single, otherwise avoidable, crash could have gone a long way towards buying better equipment. Also seek out experianced help and advise for proper set up and tips.
Let us know how you do.
Grizz