There are a number of good airplanes out there to get started in pattern with.

I took up pattern flying about a year and a half ago starting with a Tower Kaos 40 w/a OS 46AX it still flies great. The Kaos is fine for SPA pattern (Senior Pattern Association) as its an older pattern design but a bit harder to see well if you fly AMA turnaround type pattern. I then purchased a World Models Intruder as a second SPA pattern bird a better flier than the Kaos, but eats up a lot of real estate making it harder to stay in the box flying AMA turnaround. I am now mostly flying a Venus II w/ a OS 1.20AX for power for my AMA pattern trainer it should take me up through intermediate class with no problems. Large enough to see well flying the line out a 150-175 meters on center and then out to the side poles.

One of the problems with the smaller bird both the .40 and .60 sizes is seeing them well flying larger maneuvers at AMA standard box distances. My suggestion is to purchase as much airplane that you can afford the larger the better within the 2 meter and weight requirements with more than adequate power. SPA has a different set of rules vs AMA regarding power and age of airplane design one can fly for contests.

SPA pattern is a good place to start pattern flying as it has does not use a box just center judged maneuvers. That allows the pilot to fly in closer and use any type of turnaround that is convenient to re-enter for the next maneuver.

Welcome to pattern!