I've been looking online and I'm not sure what to do. I want something to learn on in one package if possible. I don't know if I should go for an electric or gas. Storage space is a big concern so should I buy really cheap at first and build my way up or is it possible to get a decent plane to start with and learn on that. I want to have fun and I can drive out where I have plenty of open ground. I don't want to get stuck with a cheap plane I'll get board with but I also don't want to sink a bunch of money into something I crash right away. Also I've tried looking online and most places just sell hollow planes that need motors and controls and such seperate, am I looking on the wrong sights? I'm a blank slate willing to take advice from those of you out there with experience.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

I currently fly an avistar trainer from hobbico. I did however buy the shell and put my own radio and engine in it. But They do make a ready to fly version with an O.S. 40 LA engine and a futaba skysport 4 radio for 299.99. Not a bad deal considering what you get. The gas trainer having a semi-symmetrical wing is going to offer more aerobatics that theier flat bottom counterparts. If you want some life out of a trainer, This isnt a bad package for the price.

Thanks to you two. I wasn't expecting replys so fast, guess I'm used to old dial-up fidonet messageboard/forums. I sort of thought a foam plane was childish but I guess it's the easiest way after reading other posts here, cheaper too. I saw an ad in popular science and wondered if anyone has something to say about the gull or hawk on readytoflyfun website. The Wingo definately looks like I could find endless things to stick in the cockpit, but do you all think I would get tired of it? As I said, space is a major issue. I'm in the military and my public storage unit is almost full with civilain cloths, off season uniforms, and scuba gear so I don't see myself being more than a 1 or 2 plane owner anytime in the near future and selling things I buy then upgrade is never easy. Thanks again, I'll keep this place on favorites because every reply seems so friendly and informative.

There's that new Alpha set up, includes everything. Hobbico have a complete package as well. That is: plane, engine and radoi. all you bneed buy then is some feild equipment, your AMA, and the club dues.

And as we'll all say, find a local feild, talk to the guys there... Ask one to join you at the local hobby shop (LHS) and mull over a few options..

Flying on a budget? visit www.spadtothebone.com Look at the Debonair, and any of the other models with tricycle landing gear EXCEPT the "SPAD Wonder" (which is NOT a trainer.) $10 to $15 in materials for the airframe, add radio and engine. Though its not even a kit... a beginner can typically have one flying in 2 days. (I can build a Debonair {one of the more difficult to build SPAD trainers} in 4 hours or LESS!)

The SPAD trainers are not indestructable... but I've purposefuly dug in a wingtip on a high speed pass and just had to replace the prop.

Cheap, durrable and... the Debonair flies GREAT with an O.S. .40 LA using a 11X4 prop. If you get bored with the Deb... pull the gear, cut the fusealge down and build a 48 inch span "Derilict" style wing. $5 to convert to a higher performance plane. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I have a Hobbico Superstar Select .40..... It was my first plane. It is a great first plane. Now I have a Great Planes Cessna 182 Skylane and a Sukhoi 26. I bought my son a GWS Slow Stick Electric for Christmas....... He flies it great with me at his side (He is 7 yrs. old) However some fellow club members (60 +) like flying it so well they now have one too.

Thanks again for all of your inputs. I now have a couple of different companies and planes instead of hundreds with no recomendation other than what the advertisers want me to know. I'll use the online club finder, take a look at the planes and find someone with experience with those types to help teach me, and take it from there. See you all up in the Wild Blue Yonder.

I found a nice plane that I am thinking on buying it is built by Hanger 9, and called the extra easy trainer,
It comes with a .40 size engine, and a JR computer screen 5 chan. radio, the engine is all ready installed, and the plane is a ARF, the price was $379.99 and I found it at www.horizonhobby.com , also there is the alpha trainer by Hanger 9, it can be found at the same web site, it sell's for $309.99 , it has a .46 engine in it, and a 4 Chan. JR radio, but the radio does not have the computer screen, and it is a ARF as well, I hope this helps I am new to all of this as well, but I will till you this, do the Simulators first, Real Flight has good one, you can crash as much as you want, but it wont cost you a dime!!!

The Extra Easy is very good. I've given lessons to 2 students with the .40 sze and one with the .60 size. Just as good as the Sig LT-40 ARF, it not better. These can be easilly recommended to any beginner. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] $379 with a 5 ch computer radio... good deal. Gives you good enough radio equip for almost anything you'll want to fly for the next 2 to 5 years. (just buy servos as needed... maybe a second RX and battery... LATER [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] )

Hanger 9 usually puts out good stuff. Relatively rare to hear complaints about thier planes. (and they have a VERY good rep for making things right if there is a problem.)

The JR radios... anything JR makes is good. I tend to fly Futaba, and so what I have isn't JR compatible (Can't buddy box with JR, can't use a Futaba TX with a JR RX... The servos are compatible.) That's the only reason I haven't bought any JR stuff. Lots of locals use JR and are very happy with thier radios. (about 45% Futaba, 45% JR, 10% other [Futaba compatibles and Airtronics] around here)

Wingo ; Had one It flew but was underpowered ( about 25 foot max alt with mine) & very fragile
my friends were right a 40 size trainer is better. & will actually fly & can be repaired some