Kh6oo,

Welcome to the world of RC. I know you will find it rewarding. Everyone has different opinions when helping out a newbie gettting started and hope you find my sugestions helpful.

First your choice of radio is great. The 9C although a bit overkill at first, will allow you to grow into the sport for a long time. If you desire Ham band, look at used equipment. There isn't as much demand for Ham band, and you may be able to pick one up cheaply. I personally do not see any advantage over it other perhaps better flying opportunities on a crowded air field.

I have discussed the airframe with many beginners, and believe there are two ways to approach it. Like you, many beginners feel they will save money by buying an semi trainer, semi aerobatic airplane. Without changing the wing style, few of these really exist. Most often when you are bit by the RC bug, your first airplane will not be your only airplane. With so many good choices in ARFs out there, you are certain to buy another airplane after you have mastered a trainer. At that time you may want to invest in a 4 stroke and a more aerobatic wingfoil. In all reality, a trainer often has a hard and sometimes short life while one learns to fly. Perhaps not investing too much $ initially is prudent.
Trainers are designed to fly slowly and more forgiving so that a beginner has time to learn the proper controls. When setup correctly, it can fly almost by itself. On the other hand, in a more agile airplane YOU must fly it and be presice in what YOU want it to do and where YOU want it to go. Remember too that just because a trainer airplane generally has a high diheadreal wing, it can do many of the same manuvers any other plane can. It can roll, spin, hammerhead, inverted, loops, even hang on the prop if enough engine is available. In the hands of a good pilot, you would be amazed at it's capabilities.

Generally what you are seeing at your field is not the differences in the planes, but the differences in the capability of the pilots. Most "trainers" are designed for students to learn to fly first. That way you'll want another plane and any manufacturer would be happy to sell you another and another and another and.... Well you get the idea.

That being said, there are a few decent airframes that can you can learn on and still have better aerobatic portential. I agree with JNorton. This is the one I often suguest: the Sig 4* series. Although it is a low wing design, it can be a gentle flyer, while at the same time develop good performance in many manuvers. I wish I could comment on your question of the Kyosho. I would imagine it is designed to be a great trainer and in the hands of a good pilot, can perform many manuvers any other trainer could. Kyosho generally is a quality builder.

So here's MHO bottom line. I have flown all sorts of trainers and with few exceptions they all will fly well. Some may better built than others however. A decent beginner plane outside the trainer philosphy is the 4 Star series.
As far as engines go, two strokes rule in my opinion when starting out. Basically only because of the low investment and ease of operation. Many good engines out there. I have owned OS, Super Tiger, Magnums, Enya, YS, Tower, Thunder Tiger, Mecoa and perhaps others. I prefer the .46 size engine being an instructor, but the .40 size is the usual on a combo. Wont get into to Chev vs Ford but choose which one your instructor perfers.

Good luck and happy flying.