The Apprentice is a good plane, but it's expensive now that they've added the electronic training wheels to it. If you want the self righting system then go for it, but I'd point you to the Flyzone Sensei instead. It has a receiver ready option so the plane and a 6 channel computer radio will have you close to $400 with shipping plus every how many batteries you want to buy. The Apprentice is $300 with that Dx5e radio, which has no programming and no model memories so that radio can't grow with you.
As for radios, if you want the BnF option then you have to go with Spektrum. Tactic is the TxR (same thing) company, so if you're eyeing Tower's planes with that option that's the way to go. You don't save much money with BnF planes though, so don't feel like you have to go that route. Look at Hitec for a solid competitor to Spektrum and also Airtronics. The one thing that you must have a Spektrum for is the ultra micro BnF models that have the receiver all together in the electronics package that includes the servos and stability systems.