This is where I will disagree. While you say that it helps in initial training, that is where I will say that it hurts the most. During the initial training is where the most impact will happen in any pilots training. And for a pilot teaching themselves this is even more prevalent. When teaching themselves they will go with whatever works, meaning keeping their planes from crashing. And if that means letting go of the sticks so the leveling system kicks in and saves the plane then that is what they are going learn to do. This is just plain bad training techniques. In contrast, when I am teaching a new student in the first stages of training I constantly teach them what do to. Yes, I have to take over and "save" the plane quite a bit in the beginning of them learning. But since I am in charge I can choose when to take over. So what I do is first try to talk the student through saving the plane themselves, and when it's apparent that it's not going to happen I will take over and recover the plane. By doing this the student is constantly "learning" that they need to save the plane, and learning HOW to save the plane in the process. As they progress in their training they will learn that I am going to slowly work them to the point that they need to save the plane on their own.

Yes, trainers are "technically" self-righting on their own. But in practical terms, if a plane is in an awkward position and you let go of the sticks the plane is more than likely going to hit the ground LONG before it rights itself.

Ken