One other thing to consider.
Talk with your potential instructors before you buy your radio gear!

In my clubs, virtually everyone flys Futaba, Hitec and one or two Airtronics, one or two JR's. That's out of about 200 guys. All buddy box equipment is Futaba/Hitec.

You'll want equipment compatiple with your instructors'.
Dennis-

Sorry, just reread your post and saw you already have a JR. Guess you can always buy another cheap one so you'll have two for training. Or find an instructor willing to play
"pass the transmitter".