May I throw 2 cents in here ...

I don't fly the high wing Phoenix 25, rather the low wing Phoenix 25. And, it has a TT Pro 36 burning 25% nitro fuel. And it has all control throws maxed out to make it a small hot rod. It's a welcome break between flying my 3-d profile planes.

People here have recommended larger planes because "... they are easier to see". I think that's true, but there's more to it than just that. As I recall from my early learning days, what I needed to learn easily and effectively was time ... time to see how the plane reacted to my inputs ... time to judge the effectiveness of my maneuvers, ... time to consider/execute corrective actions ... and time to plan what I wanted to do next. None of these decisions were instinctual at the time even though I'd logged many flight simulator hours.

The problem with smaller air planes is that they get small really fast. As a now accomplished and experienced pilot, I consistently fly ahead of my plane. But, there are still times that I cannot really see the orientation of my little Phoenix 25, and I rely on experience, knowledge, instinct, and "situational awareness" to make the right moves. A beginner who does not have that experience would likely crash if they got in similar situations. Larger planes don't fly inherently faster than a Phoenix 25, but you can see them further away and this fact gives the beginner more time and visual input so that he can learn/fly more effectively. I learned on a 60 size Hobbistar trainer and it's sheer size meant that the pattern I was flying could be large and afforded more time between maneuvers than a smaller plane might have.

I have no doubt that the high wing Phoenix flys well and can be used as a trainer, but it will require flying a smaller, tighter, and closer pattern with maneuvers coming closer together and decision points happening quicker in time.

Having said all that, I agree that a larger trainer is probably a better learning tool. And, I agree that with good instruction, the Phoenix 25 high wing could be an effective trainer. My observations are an attempt to explain the common "... bigger is better" rational as it applies to trainer airplanes. I like 60 size trainers when I train. But 40 size like the Tower Trainer are fine. I've never attempted teaching a newbie with a 25 size trainer, though I'm sure it could be done. I expect, however, it would require more frequent intervention on the part of the instructor and the student would be left scratching his head in confusion more often.

Live long, and prosper
Jerry L. Gubka