Hello adc
I taught a fellow how to fly this summer using a Nextstar and it proved to be a solid, sensible plane. I don’t know why a select few feel the need to bash it. Rudder is needed for a smooth turn but if you couple the rudder and the ailerons with a ‘Y’ connector it turns much nicer. The speed brakes that came with it were possibly not the best idea and the flight stabilization system is not always helpful. If good looks are important it is one of the best looking trainers I've seen, not a box with wings. The 46 that comes with the ARF when tunes properly has all the authority needed. The covering is not Mono kote but rather a cheap substitute, the striping peels of quickly.