I've built two Butterflys. The airplane should be modified in a few places. The outer wing panel of the first one broke off during a gentle left turn. I built another a few months later and did a number on the wing joints. For a first time builder you will have fits trying to get the center section's iron rod lined up with the holes in the ribs. It is also a taildragger which can give a beginner a bit of trouble until your instructor irons it out for you. If you try to add a tailwheel it will require some nose weight as well. Both of mine flew well with a .25. I wouldn't recommend anything less. As DR1driver said above it is essentially a big powered glider but using only a three control system, no ailerons, I wouldn't recommend it for training. In MHO every trainer should have ailerons, and then encourage the beginning pilot to go on from there. Just my $.02.