Check out the T-Hawk trainer package - which includes a buddy box and everything you are looking for. The T-Hawk is a good 3-ch plane to learn on. It's a pusher prop which means you won't burn through props as much. The high wing makes it a stable flyer and it has a good glide as well. The delux package uses a 72MHz radio system. The electronics can be used in other planes. All this for under $300. I started flying last year - taught myself - on a similar plane and I have never looked back. I am moving up to a 4ch plane this year (just got my birthday money from my wife). I hope that you are your son have fun. I just started my son on the plane that I learned on - he seems to be getting the hang of it a little faster than I did (video game generation).

http://www.readytoflyfun.com/tpatrpa.html