ORIGINAL: staggerwing
You are missing the whole fleet of Kadets. The LT-40 and LT-40 ARF beat all the others hands down. I been teaching folks to fly since the mid sixties. Have flown almost everything that has shown up at fields over all those years. Nothing works for beginners like an LT-40. That's why our club has 7 of them for instruction.
I agree and disagree.
I'm another old time instructor -- started flying models in the 40's. There isn't a "best" because there is a very wide range of aptitudes within the student population.
Most of the "standard" trainer types are more or less indistinguishable as flying machines. Having said that, my preferences for an absolute know-nothing new student with only average skills, are the Hobbico Superstar & the LT-40 -- and there is absolutely nothing in it between them as teaching tools.
For a born-to-fly natural student pilot, I like the Hobbico Avistar, because that sweet-flying bird will keep him entertained long after the others will begin to bore him. The Blackhorse Excel 2000, if equipped with a good BB .46, is also not too far behind the Avistar for a "natural" pilot, but ultimately it will be put aside before the Avistar..
In the case of a raw beginner who is foolish enough, or is forced by circumstances to teach himself, the Hobbico Nexstar is the only game in town.