Rachel - as the guys have already said, your Dad's experience level is critical in this decision process. If he has never flown r/c but is definitely interested, then the advice to buy a 40 size "ready to fly" trainer is the way to go. Last Christmas, my wife and kids got me the Hangar 9 Alpha 40 RTF trainer, and it was the best present I ever got. There are several trainers by different manufacturers which are similar in price and value, and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Ken's suggestion of the Tower trainer RTF package is probably the most economical, and is a great package.

If he already has r/c airplane experience, you probably do not want to buy him a plane. There are a million different r/c planes that are very specialized to certain types of flying or modeling, and not everybody is into each aspect of the hobby. Unless your Dad tells you he wants a specific plane, you're better off getting him a gift certificate.

I don't know my Massachusetts geography as well as I should, but if Nashua is not too far of a drive, I highly recommend RC Buyers Warehouse. They sold my wife my trainer, and I have probably spent $1500 in the year since. They give great advice and are really good guys.

www.rcbuyers.com

Good luck.