I bought my self a cheap RC car to get the hang of radio control and mastered it first. You want one that uses a joystick for steering.

Then I bought a Cox EZ BEE, back then they were two channel propotional. It was cheap and disposable, important qualities for your first plane or else you won't dare fly it. I had no problems flying this plane provided there was plenty of space to land.

Then I went on to a Kadet Senorita.

With this learning route, I did not need to use a buddy cord.