Darnnnel. Are you thinking about a full build kit, an almost-ready-to-fly (arf), or a completely ready-to-fly plane, (rtf)? Your first two choices are excellent for arf's if you already have a radio and engine. The nexStar is a good all-in-one package if you need the engine, radio and plane. The nexstar comes with a very useful flight simulator and some useless bells and whistles. Any one would be a good first plane. You should also see spadtothebone.com for good, easily built planes. The trainers on that site are very good and very durable for guys likely to have "hard landings." If you get a rtf you'd do well to choose your second plane on spadtothebone.com. You can use your radio and engine from the first plane and get back into the air a lot quicker.


The S.P.A.D. forums on RCUniverse and RCGroups.com are great resources for beginners. Go to spadworld.net for the best available help on quick and easy builds that are affordable for frequent crashers. (You will crash a lot in the beginning.)

Good luck and don't get discouraged when the inevitable happens.

Jim Gallagher