RE: Entry Level verses National/International Designs
A kit version of Passport probably will be very attractive too: white fiberglass fuze (no paint), foam cores for wings etc., paper templates for formers and trays etc., carbon landing gears. Wood etc material to finish the model as an option.
The price of the basic kit can be around $600-700.
PS. $275 for shipping probably is at the high side. I paid $100 for an AW 75cc ARF plane shipped in doubled cardboard boxes.