Well Now I have a sukhoi that Im going to use seperate channels for both elevator servos and ailerons. That puts me to six channels But the whole reason I got into this hobby is to build a large warbird one day. So flaps, dual ailerons, retracts, throttle, rudder, elevator... bomb drop maybe.. An easy 8 channels there. Its all about what your into.

That's why I got a 6 channel to start - I thought I'd be in a hurry to get flaps and retracts. Now I'm in a hurry to learn how to flawlessly fly my plane, and am not as interested in flaps/retracts as I was before I started. Maybe for #4/5 though, which will (hopefully) be next summer.

I had a Nexstar RTF and I don't recommend it if you have the extra money to spend on a Sig Sr Kadet. It was far easier for me to learn on the Sig Sr. It was easier to see and far more stable and easier to land IMO. It also reacts better to the inputs you give it.

I haven't flown all kinds of different trainers, but from what read on this website and from talking to others, it is one of the best if not the best trainer around.

Exactly. I wanted to rush into warbirds but learned thats a big no-no. But theres no reason you cant buy a radio ready to do those things now so you dont have to buy again later. You can still learn to fly flawlessly on a 8,9,10... channel radio. I have the grand ol radio and all I do is some inverted flight, vertical stalls, fly in straight lines and land. nothin fancy. Im not going to try and learn anything advanced until Im comfortable with standard flight and landing.

Hear Hear, one of the best trainers out there. Saw a guy almost put his Nexstar in the ground because of the AFS device. He was close to the ground, got inverted ant that thing took over. The Nexstar is big and rugged, but ace that AFS cell. You need to control the plane not the sun. I still like the avistar, flies great at any speed and if you drill it into the ground it's only 99 bucks from Tower for a new one. Mine now has floats on it and is a seaplane.

And the Tower Trainer 40 ARF is only $65. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXCAS2&P=ML

I just taught myself to fly on the Nexstar ATF with the Futaba 7c 2.4 and a OS 55ax. Love my combination and I found the real plane easier to fly then on the sim, other then with the real plane your heart is up in your throat for the first couple of flights. LOL Use the aids except for the AFS for your first 10 flights. Take both of them off at the same time and she is very close on the trims. I took mine off after 4 flights and found everything happens faster, I put them back on for another 10 flights and now have them off for good. There are cheaper trainers but I'm very happy with my nexstar. I've added flaps and duel ailerons for when I get floats. Having lots of fun with it and it is a great plane for learning a new radio on. A beginners opinion.

thanks everyone

NOW, they are not of any great value as learning aids. This plane flys pretty well with out them and not so hot with them.
I have taught two guys on this plane and it is ok. It likes to have rudder input in turns or it wants to let its tail drop some. Other planes are MUCH easier to repair. Otherwise, cost not included, it is a fair to good trainer.

Very few ever MASTER their trainer. When you can fly it upside down around the field, do axial rolls ( it will come very close with rudder) one wheel touch and goes and the usual aerobatics then try another plane.