Crashem is telling it like it is.

You may find a plane, engine, radio gear setup for as low as $250 - $300 if you scout around all the distributors on the internet (Tower, Hobby People, Omni, etc).

Also, be sure to check with your local hobby shop. They can generally point you to a local club. Visit the club - these are the guys that will include local instructors who will teach you to fly - yes, you need an instructor - much like going to a local airport, picking out a plane, climbing in and deciding to teach yourself to fly - it just doesn't work that way for full size or RC planes..

A lot of times at local clubs, they will have a trainer plane available and will put you up on a "buddy box" with an instructor so you get a taste of what RC is all about and can make an informed decision as to whether this is something you want to do.

Local clubs can be a source of used equipment that is still very good for training purposes - you may have to look past a patch or two (I know for a fact that patched planes fly better - guess how I learned that). In this case you might be able to knock $100 or so off the price of a completely new outfit.

Do keep in mind that if the bug bites, this is a verry addictive hobby - I've been doing this for over 25 years and the end is nowhere in sight.

Hope that this helps.

Keep in touch and let us know how it is going with you.