I think a good instructor and a sim are both very valuable. I learned from both and advanced past most who learn without a sim. I have a friend who is a master Heli pilot and he taught his son the right things to do... His son plays on the sim all the time and has advanced way past most average Heli pilots... If you don't think so check out a post... "Amazing 9 yr old heli pilot video" .. Post... He loves the sim and it has taken him to the extreme.

watch this video ... 2 yr flying and 9 yrs old.

http://rcplane.com/movies/kyle05feb.wmv