If I didn't have an investment in Futaba receivers, I would take the Aurora because the receivers are cheaper, and watching the planes voltage from the radio screen would have saved at least two planes I've lost in the last 3 years when I foolishly went just for that one extra flight. One loss was sadly my Ultra Sport 40, grrrrr... I learned to be more battery conscious since then.

I just fly sport planes, usually 40 to 60 size, 35% expo, dual rates, flaperon sometimes, and throttle cut. A 6 channel would get the job done and has for many years. If you settled for a cheaper 6 or 7 channel radio, imagine what the difference would give to your hobby. You could get a nice ARF or engine with the change. I can always use another ARF/kit or engine.

For about a year Tower had the Aurora backordered, and I to date have never seen one except on online videos. With slow economic times especially here in Florida, I felt it timely to sell my 10C and my 8FG. I wouldn't recommend either of those radios anymore.

I found a nice 9C was only $100 from the marketplace, couldn't pass it up. Found a TM-7 for $65 a few weeks later on the RCU marketplace also, but 72mhz hasn't given me any trouble to leave it, and $15-20 receiver costs are just a wonderful thing. I picked up 6 PCM 8 channel Futaba receivers for $150. I never see a glitch.

But if money was no object, the reports on the Aurora 9 are good.