Big Ed,
Thanks a lot for that detailed reply. Right now I'm leaning toward the Hangar 9 Alpha with DSM2 5ch radio; second choice is the Avistar 40 with Futaba 4yf 4ch radio "semisym" wing design. I don't know what dihedral is, or how to find it or how to change it, but from your reply it sounds like there is not a ton of difference in flight between these models. I just watched a video on the Hangar 9 engine, which is tuned to be user friendly for the newbie with some extra parts which can then be removed for use in a second plane. The programmable radio is really catching my eye, both for the channel security and for the programmability for future planes (I imagine myself getting bored with a trainer for some reason, but maybe they're more aerobatic than I am assuming). I dream of one day flying a hot little low-wing sporty plane, ripping by with low altitude rolls, etc.

Thanks again.