It's not a beginners plane. If you do decide to go with it, keep the TX on low rates until you're comfortable. It is a 3 d planes and very capable and fast! quick to respond to stick commands. Good part is that it's a foamy. I flew mine as a beginner and learned aloot about flying with it. But the only reason I flew as a beginner is because I won it in a drawing. Figured if I crashed it then I wouldn't be out any money. And crash it I did!! ALOT!!! but you can put it back together with a hot glue gun or clear package tape and have it back in the air in 10 minutes or less. With the 1800 lipo that comes with it, expect about 8 - 10 minutes of flight time. The motor in the typhoon has a gear box type drive. That is the only problem I have had with the plane, the gear shaft on the motor broke, not from the crashes, it simply just broke in half. 39.00 to replace. The sim will help alot, but if you're like me you won't wait till spring to fly it. Having said all this, there is no subsitute for a good flight instructor at the field. It's a fun plane to fly, capable for doing all the 3d manuevers.