I have flown Futaba for years and would buy a 10Cg if I was in your position. It has airplane, heli and glider modes and should cover any eventuality up to multi engine models with flaps retracts drogue chutes and toffee bombing. About $650.
If suffering from sticker shock a lightly used 9C in 2.4 mode should be findable for about $300 or less.
The manual is a little dense in places [ MAJOR UNDERSTATEMENT ] BUT "Futaba 9C, The Users Guide" by AnnMarie Cross who used to work for Hobbico many years ago explains things better. She also wrote the same type manual on the 10C. They may be hard to find but worthwhile.
But other makes are as good.
If you have a local club see what make is most popular and buy that make. That way when trying to program a 4 servo flaperon wing there is a good chance someone at the club will be able to help.
Last edited by j.duncker; 12-08-2013 at 05:27 PM.