Take flying lessons from a qualified instructor if you're new to the hobby in order to avoid crashing expensive models and becoming discouraged. Check with your instructor for a recommendation about your first scale model purchase. Remember, true sailplanes have no engines. Controls are limited to rudder, elevator and ailerons. Judge basic stability and performance partly on wing shape, wing span and dihedral.
Sailplanes generally are less expensive than scale models with motors.
Launching a sailplane from a cliff or slope can be accomplished by simply tossing it into the wind. Sailplanes want to soar. A pilot's flight time is limited only by the battery life of the control system. The best scale-model pilot may not be the best teacher. Look for an instructor with skill and patience.