Your choice of engine/plane are excellent. I've flown the Midwest Aerostar, Hangar 9 Alpha, and Sig LT-40 and have to say I prefer the LT-40. They're all really good planes and any would do fine, but the LT40 is easier to see, and floats in on deadstick landings noticeably better than the other two.

Now for radios, just want to clear up a little misinformation you've been given. You CAN buddy box with a Hitec if the club is predominantly flying Futaba. They're compatible. I have a Hitec, and just buddy-boxed it with a Futaba last weekend. They have the same pins, etc and are interchangeable. And the radio recommendations you were given above on the Hitec radios are dead on. For the money, if you're on a limited budget especially, I'd go with the Flash computer job and you'll be able to program some mixing, etc at a very low cost.

Just my two cents worth from my very limited experience.

Heath