Thanks everyone for your help. So, I'm convinced now that I should definitely go with a trainer plane and just assume that if he really gets into it I'll get him more stuff in the future.

I'm still not sure, for this particular guy, if it would be better to get him a plane he can fly alone the first time( and maybe crash) or to take him to a club. I feel like I'd like to get him something that gives him the option.

Does this mean that it has to be a park flyer? Is that the only option? I'm still not so clear about all these terms.

Also, how do you find a club close to you? I tried a google search and came up with only broken links to a los angeles club.

Thanks,
Sabrina