My recommendation, especially considering the surrounding terain, is to disable the AFS. I strongly believe in learning on a "Buddy Box" and without mechanical assistence.

As you learn to fly, YOU have to learn to control the plane. Having a device controling the plane is not helping you to learn to control it.

I would suggest telling the instructor you would prefer to learn without the assistencs of the AFS. It MAY take you a little longer, but in the long run it will be worth it. If the instructor will not teach you UNLESS YOU USE THE AFS, I would ask for a different instructor.

The AFS could be of help to you if you were trying to teach yourself (not recommended).

I would also see what others have to say, I feel a majority of them will agree with me though.