RE: 2.4ghz
Switch layout on the heli version is more heli friendly but the switch layout on the Airplane version is somewhat akward (but doable) for heli flying.
My advice, if you're going to fly helis, get a heli radio.
As for the 9C its getting long in the tooth, and pretty slow by todays standards.
Go for the 7C 2.4 if you're buying new IMO