RE: Self taught flying - My diary / progress
Yes, "get-there-itis" as it's called with a 1:1 flight-plan, can be fatal.
And, once your plane is dead-stick, it really is a glider anyways.
One of the advantages of starting with a primary trainer is you won't need to re-learn how to flyacross the wind.
I fly my gliders in search of lift,my tricyle planes in the pattern, and my aerobatic planes "in-the-box".
But, you will find the consensus on these forums is to seek instruction with a "full house" primary trainer.
I flew powered-gliders and coaxial helicopters for only one year, before I had a few close calls with full-scale traffic!
Joining a sanctioning body, with liability coverage, was absolutely mandatory for me to procede with my flying.
Think of it as an oral exam before the check ride....