nah go with a .40 size glow trainer instead of electric. Glow engines are so much more fun.

Go to www.towerhobbies.com and under aircraft go to .20-.50 ARF TRIANER. Hobbico makes good ones and to get started fast you can buy an RTF (ready to fly). Im sure people will post what planes are good or not. I personally like the Hobbico Nexstar because it flys great slow and is an RTF.

If you choose to get just and ARF (almost ready to fly) as oppose to an RTF, then you will need to buy everything seperate and have a little building involved

1st - pick an airplane. Like i said hobbico makes good ones but there are many others that im sure people will recommend a lot to you, but go with with and ARF or and RTF.

2nd - What size engine is required will be listed under the airplane you buy. Some good brands are O.S., heard tower hobbies engines are good, thungder tiger, magnum, etc etc.

3rd - You need a radio (the remote). You have several options. The standard is a 4 channel with 4 servos. if you are looking to buy a bigger better plan in the future then i would go with a 6 channel, that way you can just buy servos instead of a whole new system. Popular brands are Futaba, Hitec , airtronics, and tower makes a few but the 4 channel i have by them is kinda cheapy but it works.

another option is that you can buy a combo which comes with the ARF, engine, and the radio but you still have to install it yourself and build. the RTF is only a few things to do. Our Nexstar was done ina few minutes. screwed on the wing, rudder and elevator, charged batteries and fueled it up. sooo easy =D

Once you are done with getting your plane ready you need a Field Box. This is what you take to the field that carries you starter (turns the prop to start the engine) a glow plug (sparks the engine, i recommend a wireless battery one) fuel and a fuel pump (either electric or hand one eiter works) and all you tools. (few extra props are handy and some glue lol) some good brands are hobbico and great planes.

now you are set. read you intructions before building, and find out what tools you need for ur plane to build (if any), read about ur engine how it works, and how you set your radio up.

Im still considered new to the sport but trust me i think weve all been in ur shoes and i was just like you, except didnt have this site to ask =D

good luck and ask questions!! oh ya! and go with your budget. but remember you dont need to buy it all in one shot. you can buy the plane, build it, buy the radio, install it, buy the engine fly it lol or something like that. thats what i u do now that ive gotten a job (im 17), buy little by little on each check.

~Matt