If ya got the $$, go for the 9C. If you don't, go for the 6EXA, If you think you may not stick with it, the 4chnl Computer Radio will fill the bill, better yet a skysport, from a swapmeet for about $30. Just depends on personal taste. You have two sticks to use on a trainer. leave the rest alone until you can do inverteds with a LT40 a foot off the deck, at WOT. Then go with a plane that uses 5 channels(two seperate aileron servos) and read the book 9-10 times cover to cover.

My first Radio was a 9CAF, with standard flight pack. that was two years ago. I have just now tried my hand at programming some simple mixes into it. my buddybox, for the wife, is a 6EXA.

And remember, just because we had all those nukes, didnt mean we had to use them. Just because your engines high end will peel the mono off the wings doesnt mean thats the only speed you have to run. Finally, all the switches on a 9C or for that matter a 14MZ do not have to necessarily be utilized, until the pilot has a total understanding of how and when to use them.