Use both! As much and as often as you can!
I'm an absolute newbie to this hobby too..I had my second day of instruction today. I've had a total of 6 "real" flights as of this afternoon, and on the second flight today, I sucessfully completed four landings and takeoffs. The last flight today was more of the same and the instructor didn't have to bail me out once!! I was in control of the plane from start to finish!

I'm sure the hundreds (if not thousands) of failed landings on RF have had something to do with what I accomplished this weekend at the field. I found that much to my surprise, "real" landing was easier than on the sim because I was able to judge my direction of travel and speed much easier IRL (In Real Life), than looking at a 17" chunk of RF land.

Also, if you can hook up with a good experienced instructior, you can get some practical knowledge that you just can't get on the simulator. Anytime you can play Martian Brain Sucker with someone who has had 20+ years behind the sticks you're bound to pick up a nugget or two that will save you rebuilding a plane at some time -- pay attention. Yesterday was a great example, a gustly little wind blew up at the field that kept most folks on the ground. Having driven 30 minutes out to the field, I was anxisious to get in the air. My instructor says, if you want to fly.we fly. As long as I had altitude, I was able to find out how wind affected the plane, it was immensley informative, and knowing that someone had my back, alot of fun. I didn't get to do any takeoffs or landings, but sometime down the road when it starts getting windy while I'm on my own, I won't panic (right away anyhow).

Wahooo!