Its my turn to disagree with you this time
@bisco, I have not flown the Duster so can't really comment on that model or how it fly's. However, I have built and flown a few Flite Test planes now and some of those are great models and really easy to fly. I agree there are some that are not quite as forgiving.
Lets work through a few:
1) The scout - great model fly's slow or fast I have a Sunnysky in mine so it gives me the option. I built it to teach my son how to take off with a tail dragger, it doesn't disappoint either very docile easy to handle too.
2) Bushwacker - already been singing the praises of that plane earlier, excellent slow speed performance. With a little dihedral it makes a great trainer, easier than the Scout for take offs too.
3) Simple Spitfire - I was told its not an easy plane to fly, hog wash the Simple Spitfire is a pussy cat. I love warbirds but this one not only looks good, it flies really well and slow if you want it too. I have never quite got the landing gear design right, the take off's are fine. But landings are another matter not the planes fault, just can't get the wire stiffness correct. As a belly lander cant really fault it.
4) F22 - I thought it would be a nightmare, in fact its the opposite you can fly this slow too great plane and lots of fun. I have two of them the second has a Sunnysky 1250kv motor and can really rip along at full throttle.
5) Sportster - Looking at it you would expect it to be a nightmare being a 1930s-40s racer style plane. But with the right motor setup and prop combination its a lovely plane to fly, not the most forgiving but it can still be flown slowly.
6) FT Flyer - its so basic it has to be easy to fly, from a 500mAh 2s up to a 700mAh 3s it fly's really well and is great fun.
7) Tiny Trainer - not a lot I can say its a great plane 3ch or 4ch, just get the CG right and the control surfaces optimised and its one of the best planes around for beginners to learn with and intermediate flier to play with.
Planes I would avoid
FT Delta - my son built one and it has crashed more times than it's flown. I have personally had it flying on its last 2 flights and landed it without damage, but I've never liked it.
Versa Wing - initially I struggled to get the setup right and it was a hand full to say the least. However, once I finally got the setup right and got it trimmed its been a good plane to fly and has grown on me.
Old Fogey - LOL
Josh made it look so easy flying this plane and to be fair once you get the throws right and the throttle setting right, it is easy. But I had some hair raising first few flights, too much rudder authority can easily send it into a Dutch roll on turns. Once I finally got my throws right it was loads of fun and it fly's unbelievably slow. I didn't do the Josh trick of setting the transmitter down and let it fly in circles, but I did the same while holding the transmitter hands off.
Simple Cub (Tiny- scaled down version) - so many times I nearly threw that plane in the bin, it was a absolute pig to fly. I eventually got a good motor prop combination and with hand launches it became tolerable. Its still one of my least favorite planes.
Sea Otter - this is probably more down to my building of this particular model rather than the plane. However, I have had 3 shocking maidens so far and not in a rush to repair it a 4th time. It is one of those planes that definitely seems to perform better with a bit of speed.
Great planes but not for beginners
Edge 540 - You don't have to be into 3D to fly or love this plane, with low throw rates and throttle back its a lovely plane to cruise around the sky, not ideal for someone learning though.
Simple Stick (Hangers) - Similar to the above, its an amazing plane to fly with reduced throws with the throttle stick at just over half way. But swap the controls to mid rates and take that throttle to 3/4 and its a great aerobatic plane. Once again not an ideal beginners plane but something to aspire to.