3-channel?
 

I was wondering if the PowerBrutes use a three channel controller. If they do, that might be enough to get me working on my plane again.

Yep they do.

edit: they only have directional control on two. the third just turns something on or off. (hold button: on, let off button: off)

I would only use the third one for the propeller anyway.

That way I could have up/down, left/right and throttle control.

If I can't get a RFFS, I might get a PowerBrutes for this purpose. With a few potentiometers and some capacitors, you could have pulse steering. Of course, the RFFS is a far superior reciver, and is FM capable, but PowerBrutes are a lot cheaper.