ratbastid

It's a very basic 3-channel remote. The rudder and elevator are controlled by the vertical and horizontal axis (respectively) of the right stick. The throttle (technically, the power output of the electronic speed controller) is controlled by a slider on the left. Very standard.

Here's the only thing: the 3-channel version of the Wing Dragon has a stock radio that's on 27mHz. That's the frequency shared by RC toys, and flying on that frequency in any sort of populated area comes with a risk of interference. The 4-channel version comes with a 72mHz radio, which is a piece of spectrum reserved for hobby RC aviation, and--provided you're talking with anyone flying around you and can make sure you're not sharing one of the 32 channels inside the 72mHz band--should be much less prone to trouble. Also, with the 72mHz radio, you can buy a second receiver that will work with the same transmitter, so you can fly your next plane from the same Tx. All the "real" (as opposed to 27mHz "toy") radio equipment is standardized and interoperable.

Here's what I did. I bought a Wing Dragon 4, and a spare wing kit from a Wing Dragon 3. The wings are interchangeable, and with a WD3 wing kit on it, it IS a 3-channel Wing Dragon, but with a much better radio. I flew that for a while until I was ready for the next challenge, then put the 4-channel wing on.

That way I basically got my first AND second planes for only a bit more than I might spend for a first plane. Well, actually, a whole lot LESS than I might spend for a first plane... There are MUCH more expensive ways to go.