Good advice from Chris, you didn't mention do you want to go with Nitro or Electric? There are issues that I feel you need to consider..
If you are planning on staying with this hobby the most important piece of equipment is the electronics. Without good electronics you are limiting yourself to the limits of the electronics.
I would not fly a plane without 2.4 Ghz radio system, they are not effected by other frequencies like the old radios and you won't run the risk of someone shooting you down or visa versa. If you plan on progressing beyond a trainer I would recommend you get a radio with no less then 6 channels and full mixing capabilities as it would limit your ability to fly many planes. There are flying wings that need elevons, planes with dual wing servos that use flaperons, V-Tail planes, planes with retracts, airbrakes, Variable Pitch props, etc.
If you don't plan on going to the next level of flying (3d, or aggressive aerobatics) then a inexpensive high wing like Chris mentioned in a RTF version with an inexpensive radio would be fine. I got lucky enough to have someone show me the importance of buying a good radio first and never regretted spending the $200 I spent to get a computerized radio capable of mixing, exponential, Travel rates, coupling, etc at the field.
Either way you go, I do suggest getting started on a plane with dihedral wings as Chris suggests.
RC Powers has a review of his wife flying the Wildhawk from Nitroplanes, it later shows some modifications he did such as dual motors, etc. He also reviews the Dynam Sky trainer and later with mods.
http://www.rcpowers.com/airplanes/wildhawkplane-about.htmThe power plant and servos can be used in other planes if you ever wreck it beyond repair. For example I bought the Dynam Combo and have built 7 different planes using the same power plant and servos, just different batteries and a good charger. Of course the radio needed for many of those planes is 4+ channels?
