First off I hope that you will also be joining an RC club. Training is free at most clubs and you will learn more in 1 hour with an instructor than 6 months of reading on the net! ALso any decent instructor can train you on a buddy box which will prevent most crashes. Ok Answers: on computer radio, pros, the prices of radios like other electronic components have dropped dramatically in the last couple of years. The new radios are easier to program and have more features than previous models. Buying a computer radio now will give you a radio that you can use for more advanced planes. Cons, you won't be able to use more than the basic 4 channels while training or other features such as dual rates, expoential, ect. By the time you solo, and are ready to use the computer radio to its potential a newer, less expensive, more powerful model will probably be out making your radio last years model. I would just get a basic 4 channel for now. It won't become obsolete because you can always use it for a spare plane, for training your buddies, or sell it to new flyer.
2. The Avistar uses standard construcvtion which means that the fuselage is solid balsa and ply, not criss crossing stiks. The wing is held on by rubber bands which pop off if the plane hits something, I watched one go into a snow fence at the end of our runway. The wing poped off and the only damage was a few broken rubber bands and a broken prop. The fact that you are thinking about repairs is something most new flyers don't consider. Most Avistars are of the ARF version. Trouble with starting this hobby on an ARF is that you don't learn how a plane is built. This makes it hard to figure out how to repair it, even with minor damage. Thats why unless its flying season allready I suggest building a full kit such as a Sig LT40. It gives you something to do over the winter and you learn a lot! Then after that, get what you want. Hope this helps. Fast!