why is she against your son doing this? i don't quite get it. i have not flown the tower trainer .60, but all trainers are pretty muhc the same. if you are really enthusiastic about the hobby, it will get pretty expensive by the 3rd plane. Futaba's 6x or their new version are both good radios. If you want to do anything, you really need one of those. However, if he really gets into the hobby, and wants to become a pattern pilot or an aerobatic guy, then you are probablyl going to want a futaba 8u. I don't think they make them anymore, but you can get one used off of ebay i am willing to bet. I started out with a 6x and i thought it was from the future, all chromed and "hi tech" but as time went on and i got my first aerobatic plane (a cap 232) i began to clash against the limitations of that radio. It is not as versitile for a couple reasons, but probably the most prominant reason is ths: the display is small, and it is sectioned, not pixalated. it is like trying to program a computer through your microwave display, it just can't be done. also, i was out of programable mixers and still needed more. I was also out of stiwthes. i got the futaba 8u, used, for $200. not including the spring loaded trainer switch (instead of and much easier than a buton) it has 5 switches, 2 three way switches (ideal for flaperons and spoiler mix and good gyros) as well as 3 dials whech are good for adjusting gyro gain, and flap amount. all but one of the dials are being used. It also has a tx module instead of a crystal which allows you to change frequencies without sending it back to the factory. instead of 6 model memory, it has 8. You can expand it with a module known as a campac to 16. if you use a different campac made for a different radio, you can give it 30 more. it uses a pixalated display. if you want to get further into the hobby, i would suggest getting one of these radios. they are probably about $150 now, about the price you could sell your 6x for. Following DBcherry's example, i wish your son well.