I live in a rural area with few instructors and no formal club. I made contact with the local instructor recommended by the LHS but could never seem to match our schedules and weather conditions. This went on for two+ weeks. I had also purchased an Apprentice 15e (not the newer one with the SAFE technology), a Spektrum DX6i transmitter, and a Phoenix 4 simulator. Being retired with plenty of time on my hands and having no instructor, I started "flying" the Apprentice on the simulator. I established a structured program where I flew the plane in ideal weather conditions and gradually increased the winds, gusts, and cross winds. I flew it a lot. After a couple of weeks I decided to go fly the real model. I got a more experienced friend to check the plane out and then went out on a Sunday evening long after all the other fliers had left and took the Apprentice up. Was it exactly like the sim? No, but it was close. The training in stick movements from the sim was good and I was able to get the plane off the ground, fly it around, and land in one piece. I did it repeatedly. That was my only goal. No aerobatics. No fancy stuff. Just get the plane up, fly the pattern, and land. That was a couple of months ago. I've since added a good many flights on the Apprentice and learned to do basic aerobatic maneuvers. I'm comfortable with the plane now. I've added a couple of 3 channel micros and love flying them.

My point is that those who say there is no other way than getting an instructor are simply out of date. An instructor can make things easier but any of the top of the line simulators can get you started as long as you use a structured plan of increasing difficulty and challenge. It requires self-discipline and a willingness to take things one step at a time. That may be tough in this era of instant gratification but it's certainly cheaper than crashing multiple planes trying to teach yourself. Don't give up. It can be done.

Storm