spektrum makes up to a 12ch http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=JRP1200, as for which radio and how many channels? proably start with a 6ch, that will cover what I'll call the basics, alerions, rudder, elevator, throttle, flaps and retracts, then as you progress you can decide what kind of planes you like to fly, and how many channels you'll need. there are many options that you can add, smoke, brakes, lights, dual servos, sliding canopies, etc, etc, each one needing a channel