HI JOHN! Couldn't agree with you more! I knew a guy who even taped styro foam airfoil sections to the bottom of his trainers' wing to make it more aerobatic. He was one of the best pilots at our field in a very short time. His financial situation forced him into learning like you described, and he passed up all the other guys that started when he did. The advanced trainers are a marketing sceme, and like you say aren't necessary, [even if they might still be fun].