Welcome to RCU and the wonderful world of R/C planes. You'll find that there is a wide variety of opinions and each has merit. Some 8 year olds would be difficult to teach, while others will learn quickly and do great. None of us can predict how well your son can do, but I can say that I've seen 8 year olds fly who could put many adults to shame.

For planes, there are many choices. The "standard" that is usually recommended here is a .40 sized glow engine trainer. These provide a good balance of size, cost, and flight capabilities. However, these are not the only planes on which a person can learn. Smaller glow planes can fly just as well as the larger one, and electric planes can be a great choice.

It's already been suggested that you find a local club. This is the best first step. Find the club and go with your son to meet some of the people. Ask who is in charge of training and arrange some time to talk with them about learning. Some instructors insist on training on a certain type of plane, such as the .40 trainer, while others are open to alternatives such as electrics. This is important to determine ahead of time so you don't show up at the field with a plane that nobody wants to help you with. You may find that the club is open to many alternatives. You may also find that you have more than one club in your area.

It will also be a good idea to determine ahead of time how much money you can invest in this hobby. It's easy to spend a small fortune, in fact, many of us have! However, with a little up front planning and some careful selection, it's also possible to get started quite economically.

For a durable, inexpensive electric plane, I often recommend the GWS Slow Stick: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHCJ1&P=7 . I actually have one of these, even though I've been flying for a long time. I bought it so I could see how it flies, and to use if a beginner shows up without a plane. I've found it to be a fun, durable little plane. In addition to the plane, you would need to buy a radio, speed control, batteries, battery charger, and a few small tools.