The Tower and Futaba 6-channel radios are the same. If you buy the Futaba radio, it will come with the power switch harness that you need that isn't included in the Tower Hobbies combo w/ servos. The price of the switch is the $10 extra you're paying.

Everybody makes a great 6-channel computer radio at a great price. You might want to peek at the Airtronics VG6000, the JR Sport SX600, and the Hitec Optic 6 Sport just to make sure you like the Futaba/Tower the best. None of these radios is a bad choice, but the Optic 6 Sport offers 10 model memory, shift selection for use with virtually any 72Mhz FM receiver, and can be upgraded with a frequency synthesizing unit (Spectra) so you can use it on multiple channels:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXPTT7**&P=7

It's no accident that Tower's website doesn't detail all of these extra features! As I said, though, all of these radios are great picks. You'd be quite happy flying the Futaba or Tower models as well.

The .46 LA is a good match for the Avistar, it's a popular combination at the clubs I fly at. Just be sure to buy fuel with at least some castor oil in it as part of the lubrication. Bushed engines like castor oil.

The Magnum XLS .46A and the Super Tigre GS-45 engines are both ball-bearing ABC engines available from Tower Hobbies for less than the cost of the O.S. .46 LA and both would be a bit more powerful. You should buy the brand that you personally are most comfortable with, but again none of these three would be a bad choice.

Good luck and good shopping!