RE: learning on Sim.
I think you may be surprised that its harder than you think when you start using the sim.
I don't really think you need an instructor to learn aerobatics. You can just ask people how to do manuevers then keep trying them untill you get it right. The instructor comes in handy when your learning the basics. If you screw up on an aerobatic manuever you can recover if you know how to fly. If you screw up when your learning is when you need the instructor.
I learned on my own. I joined a club after my trainer and an instructor at my club was nice enough to buddy box with me untill I got used to the 4*. In my opinion the most difficult thing to learn or get used to was control reversal. You will learn that from the sim.
Good luck in whatever you do!
Wings