I currently have a JR 783 heli tx, and am thinking about upgrading to the 8103. My question is which version should I get? The reason I ask is because I would like to get into airplanes, and fairly complex ones eventually, and wondered what the real differences between the two are.

From what I can tell the main difference is the heli version uses a pitch trim knob instead of the flap switch. How would you control flaps on the heli version if I wanted to fly an airplane? And also how necessary is the pitch trim knob? I'm fairly new to r/c in general, but am starting to get the hang of helicopters (ie. tail in, nose in, ff) and havn't needed to use it at all.

Another difference is Heli version Tx has a non ratcheted throttle stick, where the airplane version is ratcheted. Daz...

The 8103 airplane version is ratcheted? Hmm, I do prefer the non ratcheted throttle...perhaps I should just stick with the heli version. Thanks.

If I remember correctly the throttle hold and idle up (stunt) switches are reversed on the two types of 8103. The heli version had idle up on the left and throttle hold on the right, the airplane version is just opposite.

I believe there is a way to make a non ratcheted, ratcheted isen't there?

Yes it is, you just take off the back cover and remove the clamp like thingie on the throttle, simple. Daz...