I just my got brother inlaw into flying planes as he has messing with toy planes (airhogs etc.) and we set him up with a cheap 4 channel radio (JR you can them really cheap with Servos) and a GWS Slo-Stick it is really easy to assemble and will teach you a lot about flying in the process with out being too intimidating, plus it is very cheap and easy to repair once you crash (and trust me we all do at first) He is using Orion Avionics Li-Po batteries, ESC motor and charger everything can be purchased through Horizon Hobbies if you want all the part numbers on the complete set PM me.