Hi teflyer-
I started out on a Slow Stick and still have a couple. You can probably get a slow stick going cheaper than the CTH Pelican.
But the CTH trainers have a big advantage in my book. EPP- I've been flying EPP planes for the last year.
The CTH Pelican is a good plane and can be setup to fly very well. The recommended motor is plenty powerful for this little plane.
The CTH Albatross is my pick if you want a great slow flying trainer. It has the wing span the same size as a slow stick and flies really well. It penetrates the wind really well and is hands down more durable than the slow stick. Another cool thing is that the Albatross wing will fit on the Slow Stick with no modifications (and works really well)
Slow Sicks can be fine for a beginner but there are some IFs
Research- do a bunch of research. Buy the no power system kit.
Go brushless
Reinforce the fuselage
Have some spare parts on hand or a local source for spare parts
instructions for the CTH planes
http://www.crashtesthobby.com/index.php?p=1_35_Albatross-Pelican-
one of a few slow stick pages- I found this site to be very helpful when I built my slow sticks
http://www.planeinsanerc.com/index.php?PageID=86
Cruise by rc groups, say Hi and ask any questions you might have about the Crash Test Hobby planes there.
Lee- the Crash Test Hobby guy monitors the thread and is always happy to ask any questions you might have
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1538751&page=11