Because the easiest plane to fly is still difficult for the beginner. One of my students right now is a full scale pilot and instructor. He knows all about the control surfaces, landing, rudder control, etc. But the physical act of launching a model airplane, flying it around the field, and then landing it safely was HARD for him. He built a Sig Kadet LT-40. It was his first attempt at building, as well as RC flight. The plane is BEAUTIFUL. Yes, its a high wing trainer, but he took his time, built it correctly, and is now VERY proud of his plane. When he's ready to solo, he's going to have a tremendous amount of fun with it.

Despite what you may have heard, no plane flys itself like autopilot. Perhaps on a dead calm day, at precisely the correct throttle setting, with the trims perfectly dialed in, the plane will fly itself across the field with no pilot input. But you still have to turn it, keep it in the flying area, and then safely bring it down.

Within 10 feet of the ground is where beginners make their mistakes. They forget that the plane is still flying even if its only a couple inches off the ground. They don't remember that THROTTLE controls altitude on approach, not elevator. They try to make the plane climb by adding elevator, which is exactly wrong. A high wing trainer helps prevent the stall that occurs when they do that. It doesn't completely prevent it, but it helps.

Trainers are designed the way they are for a reason, and it has proven reliable, safe, and effective. Yes the PTS can be made to fly like a trainer. But with all the training aids, IMHO, it actually flies worse than a high wing trainer. Like I said before, the PTS is a great SECOND plane. And yes, there will be a second plane. There always is. (and a third, and a fourth....)

Brad