RE: Slightly different beginners advice ;)
One of the most over looked 4 channel trainer's out there is the [link=http://www.coxmodels.com/prodinfo.asp?number=006104]Cox EP380[/link] at $114 bucks. This plane is balsa with a sheeted leading edge wing and forward fuse. Very durable plane and flies exceptionally well. The rcgroups ezone has a review, you might want to check it out.
I learned to fly 4 channel with the cox EP380 just 4 months ago. I'm flying an eflite Ultima FX and Mini Funtana now but I still have my cox EP380.