I used to fly a Futaba 9CAP, but just last month I switched into the new age of R/C radio equipment.
Rather than buy an old fashioned radio...like the 9CAP, step up into the state of the art radio....Spektrum DX-7 from Horizon Hobbies. $350, and it comes with 4 digital servos. It's not simply another radio...its a radical new era opening up. The real value here is that it is NOT operating on the old outdated and extremely vulnerable 72 mhz...but rather on the new and quite wonderful 2.4 Ghz. A totally different world. No more radio hits, no more intereference...no more frequency pins...do away with the impound...turn it on anywhere...anytime...no danger of hurting anyone else....and much much more. It is the answer to our prayers and dreams.
I'm not selling this gear, but you owe it to yourself to check into Horizons web site and read the literature, and watch the explanatory videos. The change over from the old 72 mhz to the new 2.4 ghz is taking the hobby/sport by storm. Read up on it before investing the same money in old technology. You'll be very glad you did.
Welcome back to r/c, and best of luck with it.
PS: You already know how to fly...get the bigger plane that you like and enjoy it. There appears to be altogether too much emphasis on staying with a "trainer". A heavy warbird may not be your next move up, but certainly a U-can-do is a piece of cake.