Tom

Here Here, I think you are 100% correct. I have soloed and trained many new pilots and can't agree with you more. The only reason I have not suggested the 4* in the past is because most of the new pilots have already purchased a ARF trainer.

I think the one and only thing that really lowers the learning curve is a simulator and my reason for this is the following:
New students tend to over correct, they do not realize how sensitive a plane is no matter how low you make the rates for them. You are taking the plane away from them constantly, so they actually have less stick time per flight. The beginners that have been on a simulator,Usually the real flight, have learned that sensitivity. I also believe that many of the experienced pilots out there try to make flying RC more difficult that it is. SO they recommend a trainer. "Whoa, no way can you start with a low wing tail dragger" Bull like you say the 4* are easier to fly or at least as easy. Any plane you can cut the throttle and land on idle and float it in, is and easy plane to fly. And for a beginner I feel that is really the only hard part. Except for learning their orientation as in when left is right and right is left as in head on.
The DiBo