I'm on my second Rascal (1st was my second plane, steep learning curve) and it's my daily driver, always take it to the field. Does smooth aerobatics, but roll rate can be timed on a calendar, even with all the throw you can put in it. Does a wonderful flat spin, is pretty quick with a .56 Saito / 12-6 MA prop, but will fly at a walking pace. I noticed that I always had a lot of fuel left even after 15 minute flights, because it will fly at such low throttle settings, so I finally flew it til I deadsticked----over 35 minutes powered flight, plus another couple of minutes gliding around from about 300 feet.

It's so easy to fly, I think you could use one for a trainer. I agree with Jim that the 4-Star 40 is a bit more aerobatically capable, and faster (we pylon race them in our club), but I don't think the fun factor is any better than the Rascal. I also agree that a bigger engine doesn't do any better, I think a .50 size 4 stroke is the perfect power plant for it. I've hovered mine into a 10 mph wind to an almost vertical landing, and if you catch a thermal on a hot day, you can kill the engine and soar with it. Great plane, I'll always have one in my hangar.