Hi,
I strongly recomend the Hobbyzone Outlaw. Yes it is basic, durable and enexpensive. You should NOT spend a bunch of money on a nice trainer plane, unless you know how to fly and will be training him. Nothing will get you out of the sport quicker than spending $330 bucks for a 26 second flight! This happen to me years ago. I retired my RC plane interest for years because of it.
OK here are the facts.
The Outlaw plane comes complete with radio, batteries, charger, instructional V-CD, and is ready to fly as soon as you charge the battery. ONLY $40 bucks!!!! A great place to start! He will be able to fly this thing without any help! You just want to make sure you find a BIG open area on a NO wind day!
Check out my website, "RC plane crash club" for more info. We try all kinds of crazy modifactions. Also I have a free FMS flight sim link!
http://groups.msn.com/HobbyzoneRCPl...hClubunofficial