40 years ago, aircraft with gyros weren't used until the student was ready for an instrument rating. Otherwise private pilots would learn on a bare to [/QUOTE]

Solo a glider, then move on to the powered plane syllabus. Done this way at the USAFA, with Israeli Air Force, and most of the commonwealth air forces (via a robust cadet training scheme). It's a cheaper way to learn the basics, and builds outstanding habit patterns WRT external scan, energy management, and rudder coordination.