ORIGINAL: Mr67Stang
Find your local club. From there tell them you want to buy a trainer. Someone will have quality used gear for about half of what it would cost you new (if not cheeper). You do not have to spend $400 to start flying. Wait untill you get to your third plane before you buy anything new.
This is good advice. I bought used until my 4th plane, an Escapade. That one got the electronics and engine from one of the used planes. This sport doesn't have to break the bank.