Hey inline sounds like you might be a little confused about the number of channels of the radio verses the number of channels of the plane. you can buy a6 channel radio and still use only 4 channels this way when you progress into another plane that you need another channel or two you already have them you won't have to buy another radio in the long run if your going to get into the hobby you might as well look to the future and get a good radio now.besides it's cheaper to pay a little extra now instead of buying a 4 ch and next year buy a6 or 8 ch radio just athought.