You have good points. However, the fact is that for another 40-50 bucks, the more advanced tx is worth it, whether a lesser tx would do the job or not. The tx's you get with other RTFS are close to junk, despite doing the job. And yes, with the arf you do get to know planes better, but still, there are nevertheless places where you can mess up and have a plane that does not fly as well as it could. Not just that, but I think that first time pilots have enough to worry about, save constructing a plane in any way.