Originally Posted by
049flyer
It depends a lot on the plane used for training.
Buy the right trainer, learn to fly in an afternoon and enjoy the hobby from that point forward OR buy the wrong plane and struggle for weeks.
My most successful trainer was a Balsa USA Stick Trainer, this is a stock photo (not my actual plane). Is it ugly? Heck yea! Is it durable? Double Heck yea! A plywood box screwed to a pair of hardwood rails is as simple as it gets, but it is an awesome flying trainer that can take a real beating and it’s really simple! I used to build them with 3 channels, no ailerons. I would buy the kit and build it in a weekend. All up cost with radio, plane, engine and covering was $200.
I taught many friends to fly usually in one afternoon and only a few flights.
I would agree with a lot of what you just posted. That said, there's a problem with learning to fly a plane that doesn't use ailerons:
The student doesn't learn to use the rudder or coordinate their turns.
This may not be an issue with many planes but there are aerobatic, 3D, scale and warbirds that REQUIRE the use of the rudder. Granted, even the Sig Kadet had versions that don't use ailerons, the Jr being one I'm familiar with. The instructions actually say to plug the rudder servo into the aileron slot so you get the "feel" of using ailerons. A high dihedral trainer, such as the Kadet or your stick trainer fly fine with that set up. Now, move on to a low wing aircraft, say an Astro Hog. It's not nearly as stable as the trainers so the pilot will be spending more time trying to keep the plane flying using the ailerons when they weren't taught that with said trainer. They were taught that the ailerons were used to "turn" the plane, not keep the plane upright or coordinate the turns like they are now trying to do. Just a thought to ponder