In WW2 depending on the training it was the first plane you got to fly; even before the PT planes. Many were built without engines as gliders to teach the invasion glider pilots how to fly. It also came in during the Depression and was one of the only affordable planes; Wacos, Ryans, Bellancas, and Monocoupes were for the very rich. It took the place of the Jenny in training as they had pretty much fell apart by that time. They were safer and performed better than the old type WW1 planes. The engine was modern in design which is still used as the bases of 99% of the new engines made today. The biggest one was just about anyone could learn to fly it. Its just a happy airplane. Not bad for a plane that was designed around 1935 and is still in production today.