Packageman
On building the PT 40, it took me one month of nights and some weekend time. I used to be a carpenter but having woodshop in school would have sufficed. The first key to building is to have a perfectly flat building surface. For me, this was a vanity cabinet with two scrap pieces of plywood on it. The other money saving tip was to go and buy an acoustical ceiling tile at Home Depot, Lowes or such to put on top of the building surfaces. T-pins go into it with ease and it works great. Cover the plans with wax paper or similar to keep glue from adhering everything in site. I started out with an X-acto knife and saw with plenty of blades, 1 bottle of thin CA, 1 bottle of medium CA, 5 minute epoxy, 30 minute epoxy, 1 bag of T-pins, sanding block with sandpaper. I think it was like $30.00 dollars. I wish I had known about using building weights, go to a local metal shop and they are usually happy to give you scrap metal pieces used to hold down the components to the flat surface while gluing. You will need to get covering, fuel tank, wheels and covering tools later but for now, that is what you will need. I started building in May and started flying in June. The knowledge of fellow club members in building is very helpful, but RCU is just as helpful. The PT 40's manual is well versed and is great for beginners. The one thing it was missing is telling you what a former was or a stab or a rib. When it tells you to get these in the instructions and the wood doesn't say it on there, you might be looking a little while to figure it out. Also, if you know anybody that does srapbooking, they have great tools for cutting monokote.

Well, here is the deal. You need to decide on which is more available in your area gas vs. electric. Nothing will upset you more than waiting for parts to ship to you. The costs will be about the same with gas vs. electric when starting out. Today's electric equipment is just as good as gas, and if someone doesn't beilieve it, check out Hacker batteries with its sponsored pilot, Jason Shullman. I went with gas because of the same reason you have, most of the club had it. I like it but was mislead at first into people telling me that electrics aren't as powerful, they don't sound cool and other goofy phrases. I think if I had it to do over I might have went with electrics. You will save on having to clean up glow fuel. Glow fuel costs an average of $15.00 a gallon, and when you are getting more experience, this is a high cost. Electrics have issues too, but since I went with gas, I do not know those issues.

If you have a local hobby store (LHS) locally, I would go there first. I have a guy here in PA that beats Tower's prices and gives you an extreme deal on package deals. I do not know how they run, but Enya provides a guarantee on thier motors that even if you crash them, send them in and they will fix them free. I once got a $109.00 ARF and a $179.00 radio for $260, because I bought them together. The small un-franchised guy is the best to go to and will be there when you have questions on building.
Good Luck and let your dad know we are here to provide help.