ORIGINAL: DBCherry
Okay, I'm going to give you my standard line....
Find a local club and go pay a visit to the flying field on any nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Tell people that you're interested and ask if anyone knows of someone that might be selling a used trainer. (I've helped a couple people buy really decent trainers, including the radio equipment and engine for $200 or less.) Join the AMA and the club, and get an instructor.
Don't forget that once you buy a trainer, engine and radio, you still need at least a $150 to $200 for all the misc. support equipment, AMA and club memberships.
The only real choice to going the club route is buying an electric Park flyer. A good one is the Aerobird Commander, and sells for about $150 complete with radio, motor and battery charger. It IS possible to learn with a lighter, slower electric. Trying to go it alone with a glow plane will likely result in a pile of sticks after a 30 second attempt at flight.
Here's a link to the AMA's website. They have a "Club Locater" page where you can plug in a ZIp Code and find a number of clubs fairly close by.
http://www.modelair.org/
Dennis-
I agree that if you are going to fly glow you REALLY should join a club and work with an instructor. Even if you go the electric route a club is still your best path to success. While many of the electics are very easy to fly and very durable, just a little help from an experience flyer can make a huge difference in your flying experience.
By the way the Aerobird Challenger is the plane I think Dennis meant to reference. It is a three channel RTF electric. I started on an Aerobird. The Commander is a two channel plane. Very easy to fly but I would recommend a minimum of three channels so that you have full elevator control. The commander is rudder/throttle only and is very easy to lose in the wind.
Find a club, get some help, enjoy a lifetime of fun and community.