ORIGINAL: tonyob
Having your instructor agreeable to what you are flying, in regards to plane, engine and radio is preferable for sure. At our club we've seen plenty of new guys come along with cheap equipment sold to them by various local hobby shops and they wonder why they have trouble or can't upgrade, etc.
Talking to the instructor and other guys at the club is worth doing particularly since you are likely to ask them for help when you have trouble. If you've asked them, and gone against their advice, they may be less able to help you then if you go for their advice.
At the end of the day, however, it is YOUR plane, YOUR equipment, so you have to get something you are comfortable with.
But it is still a trainer! one to get you into other planes one day that you can be comfortable and even proud of! I do think a person that wants to learn to fly, Find a instructor go by his idea's! Then once taught the sky is the limit! That said he was just asking about a cheap good engine, And that is a tough one because we all have our own favorit cheap engine. Thats why most are saying OS because they are user freindly. And I agree they are!