ORIGINAL: Witterings
How about the Multiplex MiniMag or Magister and they're about to release an Easycub (wonder if that's only 3 channel though) and a Mentor which could be worth looking at, certainly their planes are extremely durable which makes them good for beginners and easy to repair whilst still flying extremely well.
Yes, and doesn't the Minimag come with 3CH but has the ailerons already set up so you can add the other servos for 4 channel?
Making it much less hassle for the newbie to upgrade than say the HZ SuperCub????