I think the answer comes down to whether the rookie "learns" in an easy mode plane or learns in a medium easy mode plane.
I never recommend a zeek, spit16, la7 or even the niki to new players. I think it is best in the long run to work a little harder in the beggining flying a mediocre plane and seek the help of the many excellant trainers. This way you will develop core acm skills that will eventually lead you to more fun and a better kill ratio. Starting off in a spit16 will do nothing to teach you how to out maneuver a better plane in an inferior one.
I also recommend a new player PICK A RIDE...any ride really (besides the aformentioned ones) and stick with that plane for atleast one tour. If you bounce from plane to plane it is much harder to understand the angles/energy of acm. You will always be confused. If you stick with one plane in the beggining it will be much easier to read all the clues....to judge energy and angles.
At the advanced level of flying it becomes crystal clear that what wins a fight is not so much the plane but how you enter the fight to start with and how you fly against the enemy.
Reverse engineering this theory you get back to the simple basics.....judging the energy of yours and the enemy plane and understanding the actual angles of closure and turn. This basic fundamental skill is the root of all engagements.
Learning in a "easy" plane will not teach you this. Just learining what a stall turn, wingover, yo-yo, immel, etc is not enough.
The only way to really become proficient is to study the energy and angles....to consider how I must maneuver in relation to the other plane. A spit16 will do you no good against an inferior plane if you cant understand energy and angles.
The key is to pick one plane and learn that first. Then fly others AFTER you have become good ant your first plane. And again be sure to contact a trainer. This is the most important thing. A trainer will reduce your learning curve by months and make your playing experience much more fun.
Agent360