ORIGINAL: Edwin

I would definately recommend going 4 channel from the beginning. The Apprentice 15e is a good trainer for electric. Many of my students use them. They are good up to about 10 mph wind. Beyond that, students tend to stand down because its too much trouble concentrating on learning to fly. After you've soloed and are competent, the plane can handle up to 15mph winds. But its not much fun to fly in that kind of wind. My recommendations generally follow:
Electric - Alpha 450 and Apprentice 15e
Ewdin