I have the Easy Fly 40, and the US 40.

Being my first plane, I thought the pushrods were quite flimsy looking on the EF40, and replaced them with CF pushrods.

Next plane was the US 40, built it with the crappy pushrods, and haven't noticed a problem yet. I fly the heck out of my US 40, and the only problem I have had is that the landing gear mount block tore out on a semi-tame landing (which many others have echoed). After reinforcement, no problems.

Are they a trainer? Depends on the person learning.

Tim