Welcome aboard!

The moderators are correct about places for things... but being a newbie, everyone is that at some time or another. It's all good.

So, first plane ideas, huh? I am glad to hear of your conversion desire, from land to air, but saddened by your wishes to go RTF. That is the pace today I guess. Thing is though, if more pilots knew what their machine was made of, and for, engineering speaking, there would be less financial burden for them. Having built a plane, the pilot knows what can be done to correct problems... structural; mechanical and electrical.

Never the less, the options for models are numerous. Join a club, look around at what others are doing, that fits your style desire, ask questions.

FSOne, from Hangar 9, is a good sim for Vista... but don't let the sim regulate your habits, when real flight is concerned. They will hone hand-eye coordination, and get you familiar with a plane's function, especially when it's coming at you... but nothing takes the place of an instructor and the buddy box.

Keep your head up on a swivel.

Skratchbilt