(whisper, you know you can't bash the Spad guys, they'll go nuts on you ;-) )

My understanding is that Spads are made out of the same stuff as stop signs. (Coroplast?) Many people think they are ugly, many people love them. A lot of people defend balsa and plywood as if it were the US Constitution.

Anyway,

I transitioned from a Merlin parkflyer to an LT-40 last May. While the experience with the electric did a lot to ready me for flying, it DID NOT prepare me for the speed of the gas trainer. Especially the landing. I had a lot of G2 time and that helped a bit as well.

In the end, however, I soloed after about four sessions (16 flights) (2 on the buddy box, 2 with an instructor beside me).

My thoughts...

I "upgraded" to an OS FX 46. I have never regretted it, not for the extra power, but for the ease of operation and reliability. My friend bought an Eagle 2 and run (or tried to run) an MDS 40, he had nothing but problems.

You should also be aware that if you "catch the bug" you'll probably be looking for a sport plane in the fall or over the winter, so I wouldn't get overly hung up on what type of trainer to get. Most of them are really good.

The LT-40 won't let you down though.

GB