I believe it's more the competance of the instructor much more so than that of the student. As they say, gargage in - garbage out, meaning that it will take a bad student less time to learn with a good instructor than a good student with a bad instructor.

I've seen beginners of all ages not seem to learn much, if anything with an instructor who means well, but really doesn't have a clue on how to teach, then go to another instructor who never seems to have anyone with what is known as bad "hand-eye coordination". In fact, this instructor with his arms folded, as a training drill, has all of his students look down at the transmitter while the plane is in the air (no buddy-box) - and all newbies actually fly the plane better without looking at the plane. He did this with me, let me tell you, it is an interesting experience, to say the least.

Trainers are designed to fly by themselves, therefore, it doesn't take much stick movement to make a circuit around the field. This is why trainers which self-correct are for the most part not as beginner friendly as the type of planes that maintain a constant bank angle. I've seen this instructor teach a sight impaired person fly quite well. Obviously, this sight impaired person couldn't fly totally on his own.

nascarjoe