Not sure how to take your comment, I was told by Dick , our clubs instuctor that He has never soloed a student so fast!. I contribute most of this due to the Sim. I wish I had a Sim. back when I was working on my Private L. Took me 8 Hrs to solo in a Cherokee Cruiser 2 weeks after my 16 birthday. $46 per hour wet! alot of $ when I was making $3.50 HR.
I did mess around wit a foamy, 3 channel, I don't know if this helped or hurt learning.

Also being a FAA certified Airframe & Power-plant Mechanic might have helped me in other ways.

Do you have any story's you would like to share?

I love to talk to Ya!