Ah, the ever present trainer discussions. First, let me preface these statements by saying, "I love my NexSTAR".

I trained and soloed on it. Damaged and repaired it, ( I hate saying the word 'crash'). And, have begun modifying it.
It's now a taildragger, and eventually will be outfitted with floats and a different wing. She's big, floats around the sky like a giant butterfly,
and can "kick it" to a point.

However, when someone asks about what plane I fly, inevitably the next question out of their mouth is, "Should they get one of those?"
After referencing the same info as above. I tell them the price differences of say an Avistar or Tower 40 trainer. My big objection to the NxeSTAR,
is all the "training extras" that Hobbico uses to market the NexSTAR as a "Teach yourself to fly" airplane. And, the extra cost involved by adding these to a great airframe. Even, close attention to "reviews" of the NexSTAR reveal the problems with the AFS system. Most beginners will go out after work/school, and try to fly with the AFS. The problem arises when the sun has descended far enough to give the AFS sensor an incorrect light reading and cause the plane to try and "correct" itself. When in reality what it does is fly in a different manner than the beginner expextcs it to. And, the beginner doesn't understand enough to know what is or isn't correct flight characteristics. If the NexSTAR were available without the wing droops, air brakes and AFS, perhaps at a slightly lower price, I'd be talking it up like no other. It is a great RTF or ARF plane.

I surprised a couple of people at the field on training night, last night, by assembling a beginners "New in the box", still in the plastic, NexSTAR. Not a big deal, until we spent a few minutes with the beginner, adjusted the elevator and ailerons a tad ,started the engine a couple of times, tweaked the HSN a little to get a decent transition, and then the plane took to the air under the confident guidance of one of our wonderful instructors. The beginner had that surprised-proud-scared-cautious look on his face. Oh, by the way, we disconnected the AFS, removed the wing droops, and did not install the air brakes. When the beginner took control with the buddy box, he made a couple of really nice circuits around the pattern.

If someone wants a larger than most trainers plane, and can afford the extra cost, the NexSTAR is a great trainer. But, for the budget minded, want to start as cheap as possible, soon-to-be pilot, the Avistar, Tower 40, and many others are just as good to learn with.

I know I'm gonna get blasted for the next statement, and I know there are those FEW that can and have taught themselves to fly. But, unless you're really that darn good, beginners should always seek out and get training from experienced pilots. If they're a qualified instructor, all the better.

Ok, I'll put away the soapbox, now.