Hi Jeff, if the club you are planning to attend uses fut then it would be a sesible choice for yourself,the buddy box is simply a cord the attaches your radio to the instructors radio. the plane you listed would take a glow engine either a 2or 4-stroke. and yes you could buy a lt40 and put a 46 engine in it with any 4 ch radio you like. one thing i always try to persuade newcomers in my club is to not rule out buying akit airplane.the reason for this is i believe that a begginer learns invauable information, that you will use for years to come, by taking the time to build the plane. you will have a better understanding of youur airplane. that is just my personal opion. Enjoy the hobby!!!