This set-up might work for a Spadet Big ED.
[link=https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2062]ESC $27.54[/link]
[link=https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=666]Motor $25.00[/link]
[link=https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDHOBBIES/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4289]6S1P Lipo Battery $107.50[/link]

That is $160.04+shipping for one flight, or $267.54+shipping for two flights, then it is time to cool and charge.
Keep in mind, as a United Hobbies member the prices are a little less at times.

Now for the glow flier in me.

I tend to buy a larger capacity flight batteries (2500 mAh or higher), and fly all day on one or two charges, and burn a lot of glow fuel. I like glow better, just for the fact that I can get several flights in, vs. electric only allowing a few flights and a lot of down time charging (unless you have a ton of lipos charged and RTF).

Whatever he decides, I hope he has fun!

Maybe all the arguing about which is best (i.e. Balsa or Spads and Glow or Electric), will not run him away from the hobby.

I fly Balsa, Coro (i.e. Spads), and Foam Planes. I have designed both foamies, and spads, and enjoy working with the different types of material. Not to mention, the "instant gratification" you get when building a spad. For the basic designs, most can be built by a novice with little to no experience, in a Saturday afternoon. The simplicity of spads is one of the reasons they are so popular. Granted most are not the best looking in the eyes of a Blasa kit and Balsa ARF modeler, but they still fly and amaze modeler after modeler at the abilities to do the same things the Balsa planes will do. In some cases, they exceed what a balsa plane will do. (i.e. G forces and folded wings). It is true that Spads are heavier, but in my neck of the woods that can be beneficial (windy all the time).

I have a CA allergy, so building Balsa from a kit is out of the question for me. I know I could use white glue, but I don't have the patience for that, and I hate wearing a respirator, when I do have to use CA.


Just my $0.02 that wasn't asked for,
Omaha