If you can go to your local hobby store and talk to them. I bought my father in law a firebird phantom from hobbytown for $60. It has 3 channels and flys good. If you do end up with something like this try to go to the field with someone experienced. The plane flys good but as soon as you get in a slow turn it stalls easily. Now as for gas or electric I am a believer in electric. Not that there is anything wrong with gas except that you cant fly them anywhere. Electric you can go to the local highschool with no trouble.

Dave