RE: Intermediate plane/trainer
Most of the suggestions are good. Would like to add another suggestion. The Calmato Sport is a fine sport plane, easy to assemble, and flied great. It is also inexpensive (Kyosho model).
The surprise to me was that it performs a knife edge better than any plane I have owned (and I owned a bunch, sine I have been at it for many years). It would knife edge from horizon
to horizon. It is advertised as a low wing aerobatic trainer, and that is just what it is. The Pulse is a fine plane, as is the 4 star and ahd Tiger II. The least cost is the Calmato Sport.