My criteria for an electric trainer are that it be really BIG, stable, not stall-prone, and easy to build, easy to repair. I heard that the Big T is a really good trainer, easy to build & repair, etc. However, J.K. Aerotek is not updating their web pages, I checked into the Big T plane on thier website 6 months ago, and it has not been changed since. The copy was written when it was newly offered, and so it still sounds "tentative". This makes me a bit leery of ordering from them.
I already have a radio outfit for it and a speed controller to handle
40 amps, so I am thinking that I might build a complete plane for a lot less if I just buy the plane kit---not the combo---buy a used speed 600 motor/ gearbox/ prop separately, and build up a 10-cell pak myself. The other concern I have is that although they say it is crash-resistant, the first time it hits a tree or thick brush head on (or the ground!) the prop and gearbox (no doubt expensive to replace!) are history. So I am thinking that a twin design with prop/motor mounted on the wings would be vastly better for minimizing expensive damage, although the initial cost would be higher. That way, you would have the nose of the plane (since it protrudes forward of the props) hitting first, sparing the motor/props from a direct hit. But then you pay a big weight penalty, making it more stall-prone, etc. But is there any foamie like the Big T that is a twin? Or what about something like Big T but have the single prop/motor mounted on a pod over the wing, like a Lakes amphiibian?