Mike,

The others have pretty much said it all, but I'll answer your question from another angle:

You're absolutely right, a plane like a 4* - Tiger II - or even an edge or extra IS easier to fly than a trainer. This is due to the fact that with a more advanced airplane, you don't have to fight the Self-Righting capabilities that a trainer has. They go where you point them.

The problem is: If you point them in the wrong direction, you have zero-point-squat time to recover before you walk out to pick up the pieces.

The next problem lies in the fact that we are all different, and learn at different rates. Personally, I much prefer to train someone on a "Second Plane". And most of my students DO start out with an intermediate model, BUT, before he or she buys anything, I like to take them up with the Club Trainer. This will give me a good idea of how fast they will learn, and/or what natual ability they have. If they do well, I recommend they get something like a 4* or Tiger, or a whole list of others, and start from there.

But as an RCU contributor, it would be very unwise to tell someone to start out with a more advanced plane due to the fact that we have no idea of the capabilities of other readers.

Which is why so many of us stress the importance of finding the club in your area and meeting your instructor.