Hi guys, i'm a newbie to this hobby, only ever flew a 2 channel Xtwin before =) now i'm ready to get into serious flying/modelling, I'm wondering is it better for me to start off with a GP or EP trainer?

I've heard that the maintenance costs for a GP plane is substantially higher than that of an EP, and that you need a bigger flying area for the GP. initial buying cost for a GP plane (including accessories) is also much higher where i'm from, whereas a GWS Estarter can be had for almost half the cost with all the necessary equipment. BAsically, people have been telling me that EP planes are basically no hassle planes, and that GPs are fussy and involves a lot of work.

Space is also a constraint in my area, a proper runway where flying a GP plane is about 20-30 miles away.[]

In addition, can anyone recommend me an excellent trainer (GP AND EP) to start with? for GP, I've narrowed my list down to:

a) World Models Sky Raider Mark I
b) RCM Trainer .40
c) Black Horse Excell 2000

for EP, my list is kinda short hehe:

a) GWS Estarter

any other good EP trainers out there?

tq fellas!

Welcome to the beginner forum.
As an instructor I believe a plane with a glow engine(nitro fuel) is the best way to go. You've already seen how much electric planes are at the mercy of almost any winds.
I have no idea of your cost over there but I know that getting a decent start in a reasonable electric costs more here in the U.S. Higher maintenance in a glow powered plane, I don't feel so.
Not a lot of runway is needed either, in fact a fair sized grass field is plenty. Glow powered planes are not fussy or complicated or difficult to fly BUT you shoukd get the help of a qualified instructor.

thx for your input bruce!

So that you can get a general idea on how much RC flying costs here:

a) a GWS Estarter, with everything included (with an Esky radio) plus assembly costs around USD225.
b) a World Models Sky Raider Mk I glo trainer, with everything (with an analogue radio) plus assembly costs USD450.

who knows, i might go for the glo trainer after all. at the moment, i'm still undecided.

bruce, how about crash resistance? foamies like the GWS are much more crash resistant & easier to repair than all those balsa nitro planes, arent they?

p.s: hey just noticed you're from tennessee...goooo Titans! heheh..shame McNair left aint it?

Electric planes are more crash resilient while glow planes are crash resistant. Electric planes have to be made bouncable and easy to repair, a good glow trainer when flown with a decent flight instructor can serve you quite well for five or ten years without ever needing to be repaired if it is maintained properly.

Just thought i'd chime in on this... most people over here in Aus, especially in my club anyway, fly with pheonix classic high wing trainers. they are very durbale and can withstand a beating.
price is very cheap to set up in aus too. in australian prices your looking at
Classic trainer $70-80
Os 46ax $150
Hitec Flash 5 with reciever and servos $200
so thats $420-430 and all you need to do is add fuel and a glow starter.

Also you may think the ax is over the top for power, you can also use a much cheaper la... but this is a plane you can start off learning on, but will let you move onto aerobatics as you progress, even the best people in our club fly with these for mucking around, even our 3 time australian pattern champion flys out our club with one of these due to being cheap and durable, him and a few others at the club including myself set them up with 46 ax's and similar powered motors and can hover them, knife edge, ive been able to get it in a flat spin, full power blenders, tourque rolls, unlim verticle, so this plane is good for learning on, and also progressing, i reckon i could just about fly basic imac with it its such a good plane, and balanced out right needs almost no elevator for rolling. We currently have about 40-50 flying in our club as muck arounds, we even have up to 6 at a time just for a bit of fun chasing each other round with one plane having a streamer on it. these planes are becoming more popular and are now going to a 2 for $... or 3 for $... Deals now, they got multi buys in a way.... hope this helps as a suggestion, Thanks dav0012.... Pheonix classic "(trainer)" <-- pfft WAY BEYOND!!!! :P