Dennis-

I don't know if you've picked up on this theme yet, but THEY'RE ALL GOOD TRAINERS! There is very little practical difference between an Eagle, an LT-40, a Superstar, etc. The only difference you will see is that some trainers, such as the Avistar, have a semi-symmetrical airfoil, while most have a flat bottom airfoil.

Here's my point. It really doesn't make that big a difference. My trainer was a beat-up, previously used (very used) Sig Kadet Mk II. It has packing tape covering a couple holes in the wing from transit damage. The horizontal stabilizer has a strange warp to it, so to fly level I trim in about 10 degrees of down elevator. And it flies fine. I had a couple of buddy box flights and then soloed. I spent the rest of the summer teaching myself to do everything possible on that Kadet.

If I were you, I wouldn't spend my time building a trainer. I would get an ARF trainer and then maybe a kit you want for your second plane, like a Sig 4 Star. Get flying right away and then start building the second plane. By part way through the summer you'll probably be ready to start flying the plane you've built.