RE: what controller to use?
I like the Futaba 9CH. With all of the hubbub over 2.4ghz, the used 9C models are more affordable.
Taking a quick look through the [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/category.cfm?catID=29]Radio For Sale forum[/link] I saw a 9CH for 210 shipped.
But if you just want a simple transmitter to use for your sim, would any simple 4 channel transmitter with a buddy jack work?