I agree with most replys on here. Either system will work great and will most likely offer years of happy flying. I personally find Futaba eaiser to program. Probably because I started with Futaba and to me JR/Spectrum's Expo adjustments seem backwards.

Another option that may or may not have been thought of yet is what I plan to do, sometime in the future. I only have one plane, but two helis on my 72mhz Futaba 9CH radio. Which already has the compac module allowing me 10 radio and 20 module modle memmory. It can be upgraded to 2.4 buy purchasing a 2.4 module and receiver. The module plugs into the back of the radio and I just have to replace the receiver. Kinda same issue is which system to buy. Futaba has a plug in system so does Spektrum, which is way cheaper. I think the Futaba was well over $249, while the Spektrum was $109 with a $90 receiver from my lhs.