When I saw this question my first thought was to say "no way a stick should be a trainer". Everyone knows they're too quick, not enough time for the beginner to think, easily inverted, will go from altitude into the ground much faster than a flat bottomed plane with dihedral. In fact, I was shocked to see so many people that felt a stick would be a good trainer!

However, after reading this thread I can see some validity to the arguments for using a stick as a trainer and I'm beginning to warm up to the idea a bit. My gut feeling however is the student on a stick would have to stay dependent on the instructor for a longer time and a buddy box would be much more important with a stick than with a flat bottomed traditional trainer (floater).

I'm currently in the process of teaching my two boys (11 and 9 yrs) to fly. I have them flying a flat bottom/dihedral trainer (and occasionally a Zagi). This thread has inspired me to give them a shot on my US40 this weekend (after I dial down the throws a bit ). I'm sure they'll get a real charge out of this! And come to think of it, I'll enjoy it more than the trainer too .

We'll see how it goes

Keith