Crash You're already on the right track. Talking about a plane before you buy it. companies will try to sell you the dang plane no matter what you think. they will tell you it flies like a dream but to a beginner its a flying brick. I started 4 yrs ago on a superstar .40 plane. had an instructer that was awesome( Joe at hill country aeromodlers, awesome guy). I fly electric and gas now. have a pattern plane and got there b/c i had an instructer. No matter how easy they say the thing is to fly have someone teach you to fly. You need all the help you can get when you first start out. You are saying you want a 4 channel training' style plane. I would highly recommend the sig rascal, great deal with a esc and motor. Flys great. I fly a Viper twin flying wing now and with all the training i've had its a real wonder to fly but still is quite surprising at times. Ill get the hang of it soon enough and is great aerobatics.
1. get good plane
2. get good radio gear( futaba radios are great so are Jr and Hitec, no experience with the others, gws gear is okay too) try to get a dual conversion micro reciever, for 60 bucks the electron 6 is great(from hitec)6 channels 1.6 km range all the better. get good servo's. Hitec hs 81's are great, good torque and speed also hs55 if you want them light.
3. Get to know the guys at your hobby shop, they help you out on quick ones but dont always buy what they put in your hands!
4. join a flying field and get an ama membership(always handy)
5. Instructers are always willing to fly your plane,(hehe i do it all the time, new planes all the fun!!!!,you old guys know it)They will be your saving grace and you will save TONS OF MONEY!!! ask those guys who didnt get instructers!
6. Have a great time, thats what this hobby is all about and be sure to push the envelope only when you know how to recover!