Check out my thread titled "Good First Planes" in the Electric Training Forum.

What plane does your friend have now? It may not have any usable equipment in it. In that case I'd recommend the Eflite Slo-V. It's like a Ready To Fly Slow Stick. If he's not averse to a little building, definitely look into a GWS Slow Stick. Unfortunately, these are so easy to fly that he'll wonder why he ever needed you