Granted the loss of a basic sim included with the model is an issue but everything else is moot. It's got the drooped leading edges, fixed flaps and those are removable as your proficiency increases. There is an option to install operational flaps as well as retracts although I'm a bit fuzzy on that one. I've been told that the ARF will accept the retracts where the RTF won't but I cannot confirm or deny that point.

No reason in the world to play with tricycle gear unless you like the particular model, learning to handle tailwheel equipted models after learning on trike's is just another issue he doesn't need to deal with and yes, he'll need somebody to buddy box him regardless of where he starts unless he's got lots of money for broken models. That's one of the reasons I suggested he look for a local club to assist....