Hey, I'm an instructor at the field, and I use a sim. Any time I'm learning a new maneuver, I try it on the sim first, and it always helps. I learned rolling circles first on the sim, and then at the field. Gave me a lot of confidence.

I always suggest an RC flight simulator to my students, in addition to getting stick time at the field.

Can you solo after you learn on a Sim? Ask after you've mastered landing with the simulator.

Welcome aboard!
Dave Olson