Dang. That Aeorbird looks like the ideal plane for my very intersted in flight girls of mine (8 and 12). Too bad the sticks are all messed up. I don't want them to learn on a single stick, then try to re-learn on a 2 stick system. Otherwise, that aerobird looks like the ticket.
The sticks on the Aerobird are not messed up at all. Totally standard. You have rudder and elevator on the stick and the throttle on the slide. That is exactly how Hitec, Hobbico, and Futaba have their single stick radios set-up.
This standard arrangemetn makes it hard to things confused while they are learning. Stick for flight control, slide for throttle. When you move to a dual stick, for a three channel plane, Pitch and turn still on the right stick and the throttle is on the left stick instead of the slide.
Standard in North America is mode 2 layout. You have the pitch and primary turning control on the right stick. Exactly the way it is set-up on an Aerobird.
In mode 2, on a rudder/elevator plane, these are on the right. On a aileron/elevator, these are on the right. If you have R/A/E. Then the rudder is the secondary turning surface and it goes on the left with the throttle. Right stick is always the primary fight contol stick.
Believe me, they will learn easier on a single stick, especially at that young age. It will also feel more like the computer joy stick with pitch and turn on the stick and throttle on a slide. It will be very clear to them what to move and when.
Nothing is messed up.
And, you will be hard pressed to find a more crash tollerant three channel plane than an Aerobird. Especially if you implement a few reinforcements that I have posted all over the boards. I would be happy to send them to you.
Progressive learning.
The Aerobird Challenger is set up for very mild behavior right out of the box, which is what new pilots need. They tend to over control the plane. And, for rudder commands, only one of the surfaces moves on the tail. Again, the design is to be mild for new pilots.
As they progress, you move the control lines down the control horn which gives more surface throw, and the plane becomes more responsive to elevator and rudder. Loops and turns can be tighter.
When they get really good, then you switch into pro mode. Now, rudder commands become even more responsive as both tail surfaces move in response to rudder commands and turns get very sharp. Coordinated elevator/rudder stunts get very crisp.
This is a perfect first plane, in my opinion. And, when they INSIST that you get a second one, the price is right and you can put the combat modules on and let'em fight. Now they have real motivation to get good!
You are going to have so much fun. Dad will eventually get his own Aerobird. I promise you.