I don't know about cut down on your training time,but I flew on a flight sim for about a month before going to the field. My first day out I solo and also flew inverted,landed and took off. I did have an expert pilot buddy box with me but he let me go solo after a few minutes. Do they work? You bet they do and they save on planes. They are not exact or real world feel but they are close enough. Elements such as wind and heat have effects on it in real world. Take the dive!

A man who learns from his mistakes is wise. A man who learns from other men's mistakes has wisdom.