Try the SIG Kadet.
This is a very good kit.

I built an Lt kit for my first airplane and am taking lessons from an instructor. I am awestruck that I built it and that it flys. Winter is here and flying time is negligible and I am thinking I don't want to smash my LT before its time and I know its time is limited with my thumbs in its future. I will soon finish an Armidillo 40 trainer and make it my first sacrificial lamb to the learning gods if need be. Anyone with experience with these critters? Engine size (will a BB 32 work), durability, flyability, survivablilty?

Visit this link when you begin looking at a second plane.
http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/second_plane.htm

Great choice deciding to get a wingo! I've had mine now over a year and only crashed it once the first flight from the takeoff because I was too eager to fly it in the strong wind. It is a super begginner plane and I have the floats but have not used them 'cos it is soo windy here in England. Buy it and you won't be disappointed!

Jeremy, what did you finally go with? The Sky Surfer? What do you think of it?

I'm also a complete newcomer to R/C flying, but I'm really not interested in driving to some flying field and joining a club. I want something slow enough to fly where I want to fly.

Try a GWS Tigermoth slow and easy to fly (thats relative) also easy two repair.

If you go it alone don't be suprised if you crash it!!!

Jeremy,

For the money you're mentioning, and the confines of your property, you might consider this option:

Use one of the fine available RC flight simulators. No damage to you, your property, or the hardware, and you can learn a considerable part of the necessary skills for flying. With any leftover cash you can purchase whatever kit strikes your fancy. When it's built and ready, you can decide whether to try it on your property or to seek out a club or other instructor.

Good Luck!
Dave Olson

I 2nd the sky scooter pro II. I own on and I love it. I have hit a tree and a line and it keeps flying better. go with it, its a good one.

Through several years I have seen airline pilots to bankers come out to the field thinking how easy it would be to fly RC.. Not so.. Do yourself a favor like so many have said and get yourself an instructor.. Maybe you aren't aware, but the instructor using a buddy box system can take the control of the airplane away from the student, and this occurs many times a day on your first few times out.. Save yourself a lot of money and heartaches, get an instructor.. I recommend building your first airplane so that you learn the ins and outs of building.. Just have your plane inspected before going for your first flight..Goldberg Eagle 11 is a great kit and also in a ARF (almost ready to fly) it is excellent choice.. The LT 40 is a great trainer also.. No matter what you get it wont last the day without an instructor unless you are an extreme exception to the rule..

Bullet Bob,

You asked about the Airmadillo-We have had several of these here, and while I can say they take a beating, I will also say they don't like to fly slow! A 32 BB will be enough to fly it, but don't try any unlimited aerobatics! We flew one with a Fox .25, and it flew, but that's about all. EZ build, EZ repair, not pretty, but very versitile, and robust.

Jetts

The airplane I'm gonna recommend to you is similiar to one that I already have. It's called an Aerobird RTF. It's like most other foam electric airplanes except that it has one important difference. I uses a single stick transmitter. This is important if you're using this airplane as stepping stone toward more advanced aircraft. They say it sells for 179.99 and that's nearly everything you'll need to get it up and flying. They also have a website it's www.horizonhobby.com Good luck!

Have you concidered the Duraplane Trainer Combo from Tower Hobbies? It comes to about $250 with the radio and engine. All you need after that is simple stuff like wheels. I have three Duraplane models and love em...

Another good way to go is the Airmadillo 40 or 60 trainer. It comes complete without the radio and motor. I have two of these and a third on the way and love them too!!!!

Either are excellent first gas planes and both take a bunch of punishment. Find an experianced pilot to go with you the first couple times....

Here's the Airmadillo sites.

[link=http://www.kombat40.com]Kombat 40 Home Page[/link]

[link=http://www.airmadillo40.com]Airmadillo Forum[/link]

try the gws slow stick. slow and forgiving...You will need that

I'm with Vraptor. The SlowStick is a great trainer. It turns on a dime and just kinda floats through the air. There's always time to make a correction.

I found it to be a bit pricey by the time I bought all the radio gear it needed, but maybe you can salvage the guts of a crashed plane.

I vastly preferred the SlowStick over the V-tail two channel plane I had from Megatech, and actually I prefer it over the ParkZone J-3, which is a nice plane in many respects.

Oh, and the tall landing gear of the SlowStick will let you ROG and land on soccer field turf.

Only downside I know of is it can't handle much wind, and it's kinda big and fragile to throw in the back of the car.

this carl goldberg kit the freedon 20 is a good kit for beginers here 3 photos of the kit