The PTS is an incredibly good flying plane, and is completely usable as an initial trainer. Our field was littered with them all summer with a bunch of new pilots, no one had problems with the plane not wanting to fly nice and smooth like a trainer. The best thing about it is that once you clean up the flaps and speedbrakes and wingtip extensions, it is a very nice sport performer - much on par with the Goldberg Tiger 2, or 4*40.

I recommend your idea of buying the ARF, and selecting your own powerplant and radio system - I personally don't like the Radio with the RTF - it lacks some of the basic functions that I find help new pilots (namely exponential adjustment.) I will state that the Evolution Alpha .45 engine in the PTS is very dependable and easy to tune - and if you take the weighted flywheel off, and put something like an 11x6 2 blade prop, it really increases in performance.


I'm a big proponent of a newbie buying the best field equipment and transmitter they can afford, and spend less on the trainer, as most people move away from the highwing typical trainer once the become proficient with it. The trainer then usually collects dust, or is reserved for windy days, or the parts are robbed for that 2nd plane. With the PTS, you end up buying both the first and 2nd plane for one cost.