I've got an CG Eagle II which flies well, but by far the easiest plane I've ever flown is by far a Lazy Bee. I was still learning to land, and had never done a solo landing with the Eagle II when I built a Lazy Bee (the larger span for electric, but with an OS .10). I took it out to the field and nobody wanted to take it up for its first flight because nobody had ever seen one. My buddy finally agreed to take it up for me, and after about two minutes in the air he handed over the controls. I flew it around, making a few slow-speed fly-bys to practice lining up on the strip when I decided I might as well just land it. Although I still couldn't land a 40 size trainer solo, I had no concerns going out to the local schoolyard and flying my Lazy Bee solo. As long as I had 6' of air under it, it was in no danger. I once flew it into a concrete garbage bin and only broke the leading edge spar between two ribs, about a 5 minute repair. Its not the prettiest airplane, but it is super easy to fly, cheap to build and power, is really easy on fuel, and takes very little time to build. Only thing to remember is that it doesn't handle wind well, but if you're learning to fly you should be avoiding windy days anyway. Clancy Aviation has a video you can purchase for ~$10. if you still have any doubts. An amazing plane!

Kraut is right on with the Spad, if you smack up your trainer, take your engine, radio, and landing gear and build a Spad...gets you back in the air for about $8 in the airframe and an evening in the shop to build it.

Tattoo, how long is a Kansas "evening"? You know I love spads, but my friend and I have built two each, and we were just discussing this at lunch today, and we think 15 hours is more like it, at least when you're just getting started. And that doesn't count the 10 trips to the hardware store, plus the 3 hours on the web researching adhesives!.

I'll admit I've got a little experience with Spads, so it's no problem getting a combat plane done in two hours, or the DPS in 3 due to another channel and landing gear. First timers will spend more time figuring everything out, and then they're off and running. I've heard reports from 4-6 hours all the way up to 20 for first timers, but then the next few go much faster. As for the glue, I wish I could make a video of a wing build using CA, because it's always worked for us. At a club meeting Kraut built a Deb wing in 30 minutes while explaining everything. Adding the water mist, cure time for CA is about 5 seconds. Jason has had the same problem not getting CA to work. So did Sassy before she watched me build one, now she builds FNS wings in @ 20 minutes. I've tried my best to explain everything in detail in the instructions.

I don't have the many years of experence like many of the people here. I just went through the same thing last year, so I'm fairly new to this sport myself. So I ended up buying a Thunder Tiger 60 off of Ebay for $327.00 thats with shipping. That included the plane, engine and 4 channel radio w/ servos installed. I've been very happy with this arf. So happy I bought a second one for my son.
They are right about using a flight simulator. I have a Real Flight Deluxe edition and it helped tremendously. The G2 is the top of the line but for the money (another well spent $76.00 on Ebay) the Deluxe edition is great to start out with. You can always upgrade later. Just go out and get something that isn't going to hit you too hard in the wallet. And go have some fun. That's what it's all about, isn't it? HAVE FUN DOING IT!
GOOD LUCK

I agree with NovaBill. I have RealFlight Deluxe and have no desire to upgrade to G2. Yuo can pick up a 2nd hand copy of RF Deluxe for much less than you'll pay for G2.
The flight characteristics are very convincing and I have no doubt that a person could become ready to fly solo by practicing on the sim. However, I still highly recommend having an experienced and capable pilot take your first plane up and bring it down for you. Most people who buy a plane and try to fly it without help crash their plane often enough that they get frustrated and quit the hobby. Anybody can get it off the ground, its getting it back down it one piece that's the hard part. Join your local club and have someone teach you.

I went 4 traditional balsa trainers during my first 6 months of learning to fly. I lost a few to "dumb thumbs", I lost one to a mid-air (and I wasn't flying it either). After the last trainer went into the dirt, I decided that there had to be something a little more "crash resistant" so I did some checking around for alternatives.

Take a look at the Titan link (http://www.tufflight.com/titan.html) and see what you think.

I bought one of the Enduros and it is the best money I have spent so far. I have literally beat the hell out of that thing and it keeps flying. I have cart-wheeled by Enduro, buried it nose first - even had a guy somersault the thing on landing then took off again - and it takes the abuse.

Another place you could check out is www.spadtothebone.com where there is another alternative to the brittle balsa models that don't handle kissing the ground real well. There are plans and a hell of a group of folks that can and will answer your questions and help in any way they can. They also have a trainer that you might want to look into as well (http://www.spadtothebone.com/SPAD/Debonair/)

With either of these models, you spend less money and it will handle the abuse that beginners put them thru (ask me how I know)

Just my 2 cents worth,

Crash Master
(Crashing with finese is an art)

I don't think there are too many "bad" trainers out there. I have a Tower Hobbies Tower Trainer 40. I bought it as a kit and assembled it myself. It flies great!! I love it. I will recommend this though: whatever the kit or instructions say - BIGGER TIRES and BIGGER ENGINE.

That's my two cents.

I would have to go with the Hobbico Avistar .40 (monokote). I learned on it in 4 flights (with an instructer). The planes looks great and flies even better. Plus it has a Semi-symm wing so you can involved with aerobatics without the need to get a new plane.I know at least 6 other guys that learned on it and still take 'em to the field to fly sometimes. Their great airplanes. I fly with futaba gear.It's hard to go wrong with brand new radio gear these days (thats what I think). Good luck out-there