One thing Marc-Andre did not mention was how is he going to learn to fly? If you are prepared to join a club they will most likely be prepared to teach you & will recommend what to buy, most will say a 40 size trainer. Go with what the club recommends, they will have had experience with different models, good & bad, & will steer you to what they know works.

If you are going to teach yourself to fly a $150 40 sized trainer will cost you about $10 per second on your first flight, assuming you do not break the radio system or engine as well as the model. Better off starting with a small, bouncable model which means electric. A GWS slow stick or something similar will fly slowly enough to let you teach yourself to fly, but only on calm days at first. These things are cheap, quick to build, use inexpensive battery chargers & you easily could afford more than one battery. I'm sure someone, somewhere has fitted floats or skis to a Slow Stick, yes it has a tailwheel. On special at Great Hobbies now - $36 bucks!
http://www.greathobbies.com/producti...rod_id=GWS1040 Includes motor but you will need radio, battery, charger.

Up to you to decide which path is right for you! - John.