Understand. Many people don't like the noise and mess of glow planes. Not sure if you've discovered this yet, but the electric crowd uses the term "slimers" when talking about glow. Personally, I love glow engines, I've got 35-40 of the things, but I understand the attraction to electrics too. Don't feel you're going to have to "go glow" when you get to the point of building scale planes, but be prepared for big $ on motors and batteries.

Ok, on to some recommendations. Below is a list I posted in another thread this morning. It's based on the GWS Slow Stick. It's a slow, stable, inexpensive starter plane. It's actually only 3 channels, but it still flies well. The biggest limitation to the Slow Stick is that it won't handle strong winds. There are alternatives for many of the components below. For example, you could go with a 6 channel computer radio, some other 4 channel (Futaba has a new 4 channel computer radio), or even an 8 or 9 channel. You could also choose Li-poly batteries and a more expensive, and more versitile charger. I've even seen video of someone doing 3D with a brushless motor equiped Slow Stick.

Radio: Futaba Skysport 4YF 2 S3001 $120 + $20 gift certificate
Plane: GWS Slow stick $35
Batteries: $40
Charger: $30
Speed control: $30
Misc (props, tools, etc): $50

Order 1:
Radio $120
Speed cntl $ 30
Shipping $ 8
Discount -$ 15
Total $143

Order 2:
Plane $ 35
Batteries $ 40
Misc $ 50
Charger $ 30
Gift cert -$ 20
Discount -$ 15
Shipping $ 8
Total $128

Total startup cost $271