I guess my point was sort of premature. Most of the RTF's I've encountered came with a basic four channel radio system. All they had were control sticks, trim tabs, and direction reverse switches. (plus a TX unit and a battery.. )

I had the Nexstar Select that came with the basic four channel Futaba radio. I was 'in charge' of making sure all was right and ready for flight. Of course, the instructor checked things over with a magnifying lense before he flew it for the first time, then he made the appropriate adjustments for straight and level flight, hands off, then landed it.

He showed me what was done and why, and then had me go through the mechanical adjustment to re-center the trim tabs but leave in the trim in the control surfaces (can be easier said than done for a newbe, but I managed to muddle through it alright). Then we flew.

On the next flying day, he would go to the plane and inspect it. He would then do something to it... or not... and then tell me 'Check your airplane, Captain'. So, off I would go and check the plane. If I didn't catch what he did, he would inspect it then walk away saying 'Check your plane, Captain' until I got it right, at which time he would say, "Start it up and let's fly". He was a great instructor (still is, by the way).

I can see the definite advantages of owning a computer radio, even from the very beginning. Mainly because of the model memory integral to most (if not all) computer radios. That can save the flyer moucho bucks in the future, having to only purchase an RX pack with servos.

Now with that said.... I own an Airtronics RD6000, RD8000, a Futaba 4 VF (non computer radio that came with the Hobbico SuperStar RTF I bought for the club as a trainer), and the Spektrum DX7. I had the RD6000 before I bought the Nexstar. About half way though my training, I swapped out the Futaba 4 channel and put my Airtronics system in. I did NOT do anything with the computer portion of the system except for selecting model #1 for the Nexstar because the buddy box would only work as a buddy box. I could have put all sorts of things in the computer portion for that model and it would have made no difference (from what I understand). I would have needed the identical radio (another RD6000 in other words) as a buddy box to make the computer parts work as a buddy box.

So, we are pretty much in agreement with what we are saying, but using different words.

I must say that it does become difficult at times when a student shows up with all the fancy stuff that he/she cannot use yet. I couldn't wait to solo because I really wanted to play with the RD6000 then fly with it.. but in the end, it didn't make one bit of difference in how that particular plane flew. But when I stepped up to my #2 plane, the Tiger 60, things started to change, like expo, end points, centering, rudder/aileron mixing, and so on.

Good stuff!!