Glad to help.
As a biuilder you may find more flexability in electric because you can build for a wider variety of situations.
Sailplanes
indoor
3D and 4D (planes that fly backwards)
Why not build a slow flyer that you can fly in front of the house, or even in the house? My friend built one that is under an ounce, all up. You can even get them RTF so you can fly while you buld the next one.
Vapor
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=PKZ3300
Or this arf
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=GWS1040
As a builder, what is your focus?