on what you want to do, stick to electrics or maybe go on to glow powered airplanes or helicopters. If you want to stic to electrics, a four channel will do fine. If you know that your going to eventually get into a little bigger models, your best bet is to spend a few extra bucks and get a 6 channel radio. My first plane was an electric, but I knew that I was in love with this hobby, and I wish I would have bought a 6 channel or above when I started.