Normally planes have multiple control surfaces with corresponding controls.

e.g.

Throttle
Ailerons
Elevators
Rudder

And sometimes

Flaps
Retractable Landing Gear

The first four control areas or surfaces correspond to the minimum required to get an RC plane to fly like something you would actually see in the air carrying people or cargo.

Each of these surfaces require an independant transmitter ( TX ) "channel" to operate on. Thus the minimum for somewhat realistic flight and control is 4 channels.

Manufacturers will often design their "toy" level planes to utilize less than four channels/surfaces. They do this with careful design.

For beginners they often will forgo aileron controls in favor of elevators, rudder and throttle ( 3 Channel ).

This makes a simple RC plane fly in a more "car like" fashion, but you have no ROLL control, which unlike cars, is the PRIMARY way of turning an aircraft in flight...

In extreme cases 2 channels are used, on otherwise overly stable airplanes.


"Decent" trainers, are typically in the $299.00 or so price range for a complete setup.

These are usually much LARGER planes which makes them far easier to see.

Larger planes tend to respond more slowly to user inputs making them easier to control.

These "trainers" are geared at teaching the novice to fly. While docile they are quite capable.

RCKen has an awesome list of possibilities on one of the Stickies in these forums... you can also put together something yourself that is decent, but will be in the same approximate price range.

Note that almost all of the "best" beginner planes in RCKen's list are NOT electric, NOR made of foam... and they tend to be .40 in size or larger...

There are many tried and true reasons for all of this. For these same reasons most RC clubs utilize the .40 sized trainers and up for pilot training and certification.

"Noobs" may be best served by the starter packages that have everything BUT fuel, an ignitor and a starter or chicken stick...

Buy the latter items as well and you are ready to go!