I am going to be buying my first plane and radio in the next few months. After months of flying a 3 channel park flyer, I'd like to start off with a radio and an airframe that can do aerobatics.
The question I would like to post to this forum is how many channels do you need to do 3D? I'm guessing that most 4-channel radios can't cut it. I have read a lot of references to the 6 channel systems (e.g. Futaba 6XEA). I'd like to have a radio that will take me a couple years (or more) to outrgow.
What about Futaba's 7CAP?

Buy a cheap 6 channel tranny to get you started (6 channel as they have electric trims), then if you want to go for it, get the best tranny you can afford. The 6XEA is a great intro tranny, but you will soon want to upgrade.

You'll still need to go with a trainer type plane to begin with, but you'll probably want something more like an Avistar than an LT-40.

3! Yup, I've seen someone hover a Lazy Bee! But that's probably not what you wanted to know..... Really 4 channel would be the minumum as many basic 3D planes only use the 4 basic functions anyway. They do usually use two aileron servos though, so you'll need a Y lead for that. The better radios will give you the option of ATV, expo and mixing, all of which will be handy for any aerobatic or 3D plane. Many of the computer 6 or 7 channel radios will give you enough options to play with for a while....

Thanks for the feedback.
As for airframes, I'm still in the research phase. Problem is, since I don't want to spend money on the 4 channel systems that most RTFs come with I need to focus on ARFs. When I start flying at prospective clubs (in early april), I hope to learn more about Radios and airframes.

I agree with tiggerinva, going from 3 channel electrics into 3D/Aerobatics isn't recommended. Get a an IC trainer/advanced trainer. No point crashing a Flip 3D or something without any IC experience.

Hope this helps.

ZepPilot,
I agree, I think I've improved a lot, but I'm not stupid. In trying to be brief with my original question, I might have been too obtuse. My goal (it will hopefully become a plan) is to minimize the amount of stuff I buy that becomes obsolete as my skills increase.
For example, I want to steer clear of RTF trainers because I don't want to spend the money on a 4-channel radio. As for airframes, I am definitely going to get a trainer, preferably one that is aerobatic (little or removable dihedral), but definitely a trainer.
Other items on my wishlist are an FMA receiver (5 or 8 channel) with the co-pilot (a 5th proportional channel allows the co-pilot gain to be adjusted in flight).
My euphemism for this project of mine is an al-a-carte trainer.
I start flying at my prospective club in April, they have a flightinstruction night on Thursdays. After I've been flying a little, I will definitely know more about myself (as a pilot) and what I want.

I guess we'd all like to do that, but in reality just about everyone collects some stuff that becomes obsolete. Take the radio for example, We were assuming that buying a nice radio up front that will serve you for a couple of years, might save you money in the long run but in actual fact it won't.
If you were to get a basic 4 channel radio, for example a Futaba 4YF, it would cost $129.99. A Futaba 4 channel air pack costs $114.99 plus $12.99 for the receiver crystal giving a total cost of $127.98. This means that the transmitter only cost you $2 !! So, you could defer the cost of a better radio to when you get a second plane, then you'd also have a spare transmitter or a buddy box!

You do have a point with the RTF trainers though, especially with the Superstar and Avistar. Buying the components would cost $129.99, $99.99 & $54.99, total $284.97 against the package price of $279.99. Really you'd want to buy a decent engine, so the main saving is the cost of the engine, but that needs to be compared to the cost of buying the tools to assemble an ARF.

If you're going to train at an AMA club (the recommended option) then you'll probably find you won't want a co-pilot. If you do a search on the Nexstar for example, you'll find that most people disconnect the AFS.
I could ramble on more, but that'll do for now...

If i were you i would go ahead and probably buy a futaba 7C or a JR 8103. Both are great transmitters with a lot of bells and whistles. it is better to have too many channels than not enough in my opinion. Besides it is a waste of money to buy an OK radio when you are just gonna get a better one later. Doesnt make any sense. besides it would be a while before you would outgrow either one. You could probably even use the 7C with a 1/3 scale and i know you can use the 8103 with one. That is my $.02

When I started, 4 years ago, I bought a Futaba 6XAS right away. It's a GREAT radio with lots of functions for it's price. It's still with me, although I will be getting a Futaba 9C for my birthday. It took me 4 years to outgrow the 6XAS, had it been a 4YF, it would take me a week!!! That radio is great for a buddy box, nothing else. Get an intermediate computer radio and don't bother with radios for a considerable time. Then, when you feel the need for more than the "basic" computer functions, you can buy a more advanced radio.

Just my 2 cents though......

it took me about 3 months to outgrow my 6xas... wish i would have skipped that step and went up a step in radios. the 6xas has some serious limitations, like no safe way to do dual elevators, used on alot of 3d planes.