ORIGINAL: saramos
I agree with all the replies that the best way to get into this hobby is to join a club, have an instructor, do the research, join AMA ...
I'm sure Joe would have followed this approach if he had known.
The problem is that many people who get into this hobby do not know this before hand. If he bought this trainer at the LHS, why didn't they advise him? Why are the descriptions on the box of the trainer so misleading to a beginner? Why can't the manufacturers or retailers provide a very basic sheet of suggestions on where a beginner can obtain help?
Nearly every plane that I've bought, at least the ones made for the US market, included a warning at the front for beginners to seek help. It usually includes information about the AMA. In the case of the Nexstar, the plane in question here, the warning to get an instructor is on page 2. Information about the AMA is at the beginning of page 3.