I'm new to RC planes. I bought a real flight 3.5 simulator to get started. My next step will be to buy a plane. I would like suggestions on a good quality first electric plane.

If you don't mind spending the bucks, you can convert most any good .40 size trainer to electric. This will require about 400 to 600 watts of power, meaning a 4000 mAh 4-s lipo battery. E-flite/Hangar 9 makes a few designed for electric ARFs that don't give electrics a bad name and fly on 2100 mAh 3-s lipos.
The Sig LT-25 can be converted to electric and needs less power than most .40 size planes. http://www.modelairplanenews.com/reviews/kadet.asp
I recommend converting a good plane to electric over buying some ready to fly toy, that way you have an electric plane that isn't junk.

From your 1st statement I am guessing you have never flown an RC plane.

A couple of questions are in order before any recomendations can logically be provided.

1. Do you presently have or plan on getting an instructor ? (HIGHLY recommended ) Your instructor can provide some very good suggestions for a trainer.

2. How much money do you want to spend ? FWIW you will not get anything even half way decent for much under $200.

3. Where do you plan on flying the plane, specifically, how large is the area, are there many trees in the area and how windy does it get where you plan on flying. The size of the flying area, wind and degree of manuverability information will be needed to make a good recomendation

The problem is that most trainers are fuel, not electric. The basic concept of a trainer is large high wing, large dihedral, and slow speed. Another serious consideration is that the plane has to be fairly tough. It will get beat up pretty good by most students. Electrics are very light, by design, and therefore usually fairly fragile. They won't stand up to hard landings.

You may be better off finding a good, inexpensive rugged trainer that uses a, oh, 40 sized fuel engine, and learn with that saving your electric desires for after you learn to fly and land without having to worry about destroying the landing gear, underside, and so on, of an electric aircraft. There are lots of forum threads on suggestions for beginner aircraft so I won't go into that, just read up on RCU and see what is recommended, then either hit the on-line sites (Tower Hobbies, Horizon Hobby, and so on) or to your local hobby shop, and get something that you can rely on as being strong enough for a trainer.

And, as someone already said, solicit the aid of a qualified instructor with a buddy box. We keep repeating that.. a qualified instructor and a buddy box!!!! This alone will save you a lot of money no matter what you plan on using as a trainer.

DS.

Without trying to seem like I'm discouraging electrics, glow powered trainers have the advantage of getting more flight time in a day without spending lots of $ on batteries, chargers, etc. Stick time is the key to success. Having said that, consider contacting your local club. There might be a club member willing to train you on his trainer (I have a plane I use specifically for that purpose). Offer to buy the fuel (at $16.00 a gallon, typically, its a good bargain). After you've learned to fly, you will be in a much better position to evaluate exactly which plane you want to buy, and I'll bet you'll be ready to fly on your own by the end of the first gallon.

I have a father and son that just joined my club. They've been flying a Super Cub at the local school yard and in the street in front of their home. It seems to be fairly well mannered and they've managed to teach themselves some of the basics with minimal damage to the plane. But now they are now wanting to move up to a bigger, more powerful plane, and I'm giving them lessons on my trainer. They're doing very well. They just have to get over the "nerves" of flying a larger plane and realize that larger means easier when it comes to trainers.

Looking at the Tower Catalog, there are some very nice electric sail planes that would make very good first planes. They are by nature light wing loading, dihedral wings. You'll still want an instructor. Something like the Tower Hobbies Vista EP (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXMUY1&P=0) ($190 RTF) would be a good way to start. The advantage of the sail plane is you will learn to fly the plane, not the prop, and you'll get much longer flight times on a charge. And you'll learn to appreciate flying in the wind.

Realize that when talking about getting into electrics, good and cheap don't necessarily go together. If you want a plane that's going have enough power to overcome more than a gentle breeze, you're going to have to make a good initial investment.

Good Luck
Brad

I think what BK has stated is very true. I am in love with the sound of glow engines and its scent but now I am very much into EP. If you want maximum flying time to learn how to fly, go with glow. If you want to just relax and enjoy it go with something simple like the Multiplex Easy Star. The ES is a superb starter plane as it is easy to build and flies very well. Another nice plane to enjoy is the GWS E Starter. A little more in terms of build (relatively) but good to learn on and just relax with.

RTF - A Great Way to Get Started
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234

Six Keys to Success for new e-flyers
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355208


READY TO FLY STARTER PLANES - Electric Parkflyers
No building - they practically fly right out of the box. These also
glide well so you can thermal soarwith them under the right conditions.
They are in no particular order.


Slow-V from Parkzone - $140 -
I have flown the slo-V.
Best flown in still to 3 mph breeze. This is the best choice for
people who only have a small space to fly or who have an indoor
place to fly, such as a large gym or similar space.
http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/pro...p?prod=PKZ1300
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2074785/tm.htm
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=426
Video
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...240x180_nb.wmv
Night fly module on a Slo-V
http://rc-galaxy.com/messageboard/mb...ViewMsg&num=-8


T-Hawk - RTF - Excellent Value - $150-170
This company is really putting together some outstanding
packages. I have flown the T-Hawk. Excellent first plane.
Get the Extreme value package. It comes with an extra wing,
tail and battery. This plane stands up to hard landings
Can be flown on 27 MHz or 72 MHz
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawk3chrtf.html
T-Hawk - Without Radio - add your radio and receiver
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/wittran.html
T-Hawk Buddy Box 72 MHz trainer system - $279
This is really unique!
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/t72rtfpatrpa.html
T-Hawk Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ighlight=THawk
Videos
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawkvideos.html


Easy Star - RTF - $180
I have flown the Easy Star - Great plane for new flyers!
Super tough foam. Good parkflyer and a good glider
In the US the RTF package comes with a 72 MHz radio
system that can be used to fly other planes
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXFXV0&P=ML
Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp
Build Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350408
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=459096
Videos
http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv
http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv
Mods, upgrades and more
http://www.mpx-easystar.de/
Add Ailerons - Start at post 195
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...&page=13&pp=15
Travel Box
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...5&goto=newpost


HobbyZone Super Cub - $159
This is the only semi-scale plane on my list. I have not flown this
one but the flood of excellent reports leads me to recommend
it to new flyers. If you REALLY need a plane that looks like
something people would be in, this is the one I will recommend.
It takes the same Xport accesories as other HobbyZone and ParkZone
planes so you can drop bombs, parachutes and attach other accesories
to extend your fun. There has a steerable tail wheel so
you can effectively taxi the plane. Great for ROG launches.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7100
Photos and Videos
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7100
Other Excellent Video - Hi res for high speed connect users
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...25#post6040744
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showa...mentid=1051938
manual
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...ualCropped.pdf
Discussions on the Forums
http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/s...21#post2130521
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...44#post6385310
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=550899


Aerobird Challenger - RTF Electric - $110 -
I started on an Aerobird RTF. I have over 600 flights on my Aerobirds. I
also thermal and slope soar this plane. Flies well and stands up to hard
landings. Their add on fun accessories for night flying, air to air combat
and drop module add to the fun! The combat module makes a great lost
plane locator, even if you don't plan to fly combat. Great keep in the car
plane - take off the wing and it goes back in the box fully assembled.
Most can't do that!
http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_planes_h...challenger.htm
Review
http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Disco...ID=1289#Page01
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147621
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html
http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_videos/a...nger_loops.wmv


ESSENTIAL ADD-ONS AND POINTS TO CONSIDER

When evaluating costs, add the following items to your list.

For the Aerobird, 1 Spare wing and tail ($15-25) and 1extra battery pack (about $20 each)

The T-Hawk comes with spare wing, tail and two battery packs,
so factor that into the price and you will see it is closer in price
than it first appears.

For the Slo-V, two extra props and 1 gearbox seem to come in handy
as this is a front motor plane and these parts really take the damage
of nose in crashes. Don't know about other parts. The others are
pushers so props are less at risk. Add that extra battery pack.

For the Super Cub, get an extra 7 cell battery and a couple of spare props.
($25-$30 total). No need for a spare wing right away and you may never need
one.

The Easy Star - add-on battery packs should be at least 7 cell 900 MAh
2/3A or 4/5A battery packs, about $25 each.

If you have an 8 cell charger you can go to 8 cells, 9.6V, on the Easy
Star, but no more or you will burn up the motor. Be sure to check the
balance with the different battery packs.

The Easy Star, and the T-Hawk use standard modular electronics.
Makes it easy to replace parts or to upgrade the motor at a future date, if
you wish. The Easy Star RTF uses a standard 72 mhz radio equipment in North
America. The T-Hawk has a 72 MHz radio option as well as a buddy box
option. Or you can buy it without the radio and reciever and use your own.
All the others are 27 MHz.