Just my thoughts:  If you know you are getting into this hobby for the long term, starting with a good transmitter is a great idea.  You mentioned that you want to keep the trainer around if it doesn't get too damaged during the learning process.  In that case, I wouldn't spend much on high end servos.  Get some that are adequate and you will keep in that plane.  If you get high end servos, you will be tempted to put them in your next plane and have to replace these with another set, leading to unnecessary radio setup.  I don't intend to start any engine arguments here; I knew from the moment I read the LA that someone was going to criticize it (again, no disrespect intended to the poster above me; we all have our experiences and opinions).  I think you will be fine with the LA, less frustration in tuning and it will run fine.  Although, I only have experience with the 40 la, but it never died on me in the air, always started easily and idled/transitioned fine.  I have a new found respect for bushed/airbleed idle engines after spending way too much time and fuel in the last couple of months trying to tweak the transition of two of my engines with a low speed needle.  The bushed engines just seem to always run.<div>
</div><div>Have fun learning; it's a great hobby.  </div>