The main question is...."is the pilot going to be using an instructor/buddy cord"? If not,the you'd better get a trainer plane and only fly it when there is almost no wind at all that day. If the pilot has an instuctor/buddy cord,then forget the trainer and get a semi-symetrical wing like on a Big Stick. You'll want to stick to a tricycle landing gear for sure. And a flight sim is a must before actual flying.

I learned with a trainer plane(PT-40) and a good instructor with a buddy box and some sim experience. I didnt realize it until after I solo'd(maybe good for me,I dont know),but trainer planes fly like crap.......and especially in the wind. I think wind is the worst enemy of new pilots and trainer planes. 5-10 mph winds will throw a 5 or 6lb trainer plane with some dihedral all over the place. I think this is mostly because of their flat bottom with dihedral wings. A semi-symetrical wing with little to no dihedral will tend to cut through the air rather than be thrown all over the place.

I wouldnt even say they fly alot slower than some of your high wing planes like the Big Stik. Semi-symetrical winged planes (big stick again) are IMO MUCH more stable because of its wing design. The only good thing to trainers is that if you can fly a flat bottom trainer with dihedral by yourself with a tad bit of wind,you can fly about anything. Adn they do tend to be a bit tougher....my PT-40 sure was. But as my instructor always says...."planes are meant for flyin',not crashin' ".

Personally I think given an instructor....trainers are overrated.

And on a side note....Your first plane should be a kit,not an arf just for the building/fixing experience.