Carpunky,

I can tell you from experience that the LT-40 TT 46 Pro is a great combination since this is the exact setup I started with. I love the TT so much I haven't bothered buying an electric starter yet. I hand flip mine and it always starts easily as long as it isn't really cold out (the timing on two strokes is affected by temperature - warm it up a little with a hair dryer and it starts right up). I personally think this is the best deal in an engine you can find right now. The 46 Pro makes as much or more power than the OS 46FX at a much lower cost. This is really saying something since the OS is a great engine with plenty of power.

I would have to agree that a 46 is probably a better choice for the LT-40. It doesn't make any difference when you are first learning to fly - at that point I hardly moved the throttle past half way up. The difference is when you are flying on your own and you start to experiment with aerobatics. Having a little more power will simply allow you to get a little more out of your trainer. It is also nice to have the extra power when you are starting to take off on your own. At that point the faster the plane gets into the air and gets some altitude the more relaxed you are.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned here with all the talk of poor engine power is the possibility of converting your trainer to a tail dragger. If you are flying from a grass field tricycle gear is a real pain. It works but not very well. If you think about it, tricycle gear didn't even come around on full size planes until paved runways were available. The conversion means that you don't need as strong an engine to get off the ground since there is so much less drag so if you are having a hard time getting speed on take-offs you are probably a good candidate for the conversion. I would suggest learning to fly first with the tricycle gear since your plane will be a little faster in the air as well as on the ground as a tail dragger. This means faster landings which you won't be ready for at first - the LT-40 is such a great glider you can easily overshoot your runway if you don't burn off as much excessive speed as you can before trying to land. Don't forget you can always go around for another try. The conversion is something to keep in mind for when you get comfortable with your trainer and start thinking about another plane. It will allow you to get better at using your rudder and handling a tail dragger before you get a new plane (which tends to be a tail dragger) that you don't want to risk crashing right away.

If you are wanting to stick with Futaba for a radio, the 6EXa 6-channel (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCZR6**&P=0) is a good deal in a computer radio. I believe JR has something comparable if you would rather go with JR. I agree with the others suggestions to spring for the 6 channel radio from the start. If not you will only regret it later. Besides, if you get out of the hobby it will be easier to sell a 6 channel used than a 4 channel.

Good luck!