Hookah,

I've been an instructor for 16 yrs. and have 46 solo students to my credit. I've also owned and flown a myriad of planes from micro electrics to 10' winged Extra 300's and Ultimate bipes. My first word of advice is to find and ask YOUR instructor not only what he recommends, but what he's willing to train on. I would straight-up refuse to train anyone on ANY warbird. 1st, success is unlikely, and secondly why waste my time on someone unwilling to ask for and/or heed my advice?

I've seen other instructors take on situations like this, and soon after getting blamed for turning their gorgeous warbird into a gooey pile of toothpicks or smoking hole.

The PTS (PROGRESSIVE Trainer System) is just that, a part of a training SYSTEM. The concept is for you to "progress" from a trainer, to the PTS, THEN to more advanced birds. The factory doesn't make the distinction in their ads, but they don't have to deal with what happens after the sale.

Also mentioned before, the Avistar is an excellent trainer if you have good reflexes. If not, you might as well forget warbirds anyway. The Avistar has a semi-symmetrical (warbirds are all symmetrical) airfoil with no dihedral providing much better performance and aerobatics train-abilities. One of your better bets.

Good luck. Don't forget, patience pays off. Do it right, and when you get to a warbird, you'll likely get to keep and fly it for awhile.

Badger

PS - I see that others have recommended Sticks. ABSOLUTELY!!! I second that everyone needs a Stick. I love 'em! Low, easy maintenance, GREAT flyers, uncomplicated and dependable. I've had electric (still), Sticks, Ultra Sticks, Super Sticks, and Giant Sticks and they've all been great.