I'm going to make a guess here and say he probably doesn't want an electric trainer but a "glow powered" airplane.
These use nitro methane for fuel and not "gasoline".
I any case if he has never flown before you would do well to get him a trainer. Ken in the above post has pointed to his very extensive list that one would do well to study.

Also, he should not try on his own to fly it but find a club and a qualified instructor to help him get started.

Your price level is a little low as the cost of a good radio alone approaches 200.00.
Add the plane and engine plus field equipment and cost can easily approach 400-500 dollars. Now you can see the benefit of an instructor as you'd hate to see him crash that pretty plane the first day.

If you really want to get him started, then get him a AMA membership and maybe a club membership nearby and let him check it out on his own. Most clubs have trainers he can try out and the instruction is generally free.

Good luck and God bless you for wanting to do this for your dad.