ORIGINAL: opjose
The H9 PTS P-51 is a GREAT trainer ( provided you are using a buddy box and instructor ).
A mistake that is frequently made by ''old school'' instructors, is to immediately remove all the training aids, which the plane was designed with.
Doing this eliminates it's trainer like characteristics.
I've seen instructors immediately take off the prop, speed breaks and flywheel.... because they deemed the plane too underpowered at first.
The plane was designed to use what it comes with.
The speed brakes are there to keep the plane from getting away from a novice and they work in concert with the clear wing droops.
That low pitch prop is there to help you land the plane under power...
If you'll be flying off asphalt, leave everything as is. If you'll be flying off grass switching out the prop may be a good idea, but that's IT.
Later once you are proficient you can remove the aids which transforms the plane into a much faster sports plane.
I've trained many people who have shown up with this plane, and it's a great value considering it's hardware and potential longevity.
I don't agree with RCKen on this plane as a trainer. I can just as easily teach someone on it, as on a standard trainer, given the above and a buddy box.
A bit of extra hardending of the landing gear area ( liberal thin CA helps a lot here ) is a good idea, but otherwise it holds up as well as a standard trainer.
Go for it!
We're all entitled to an opinion.
I've flown several of these and "GREAT trainer" would be the last description I would use. I found it to be too much work load for a beginner for take off with SO much right rudder needed. And if the student pulls a LITTLE too much elevator too soon, the stock prop has little power to keep it in the air unless the instructor immediately pushes over. A three blade 10X6 MAS delivers plenty of thrust yet slows the plane well for landing, you'll even need to add power. Knowing you can get it out of trouble with reserve power, lets you give the student more rope to do it his/her own instead of constantly taking over. Once the student has become proficient, and removes the "enhancements", and finds the best prop, it still flies slow, slower than many traditional trainers, not a sporty P-51.
I found (with a prop change) the H9 F-22 far easier all around than the H-9 P-51 and even the Nexstar. Even so, none of those do I recommend. An Alpha 40, Kadet L-40, and World model trainers.....yes.