A good beginner plane in your budget would be the hobby zone super cub. A lot of people say it is fantastic to learn on. It is a foam plane with only 3 channels but it comes with everything you need to fly it in the box including the transmitter, battery, and battery charger. I think they sell for about $179. I dont know where in alabama you live but I am in the Birmingham area. There are two good hobby shops in the Birmingham area, one is in homewood and the other is in oak mountain. Or if you dont live near there, Im sure there is a hobby shop closer to you where the people that work will also be able to help you out.