The problem with a begginer flying RC is that he is essentially learning two separate skills at once. Flying and airplane and controlling something by remote control.

A simulator, even if it does not accurately reproduce a real airplane's flying charactoristics, at least lets a beginner learn and get practice in remotely controlling something. Now when he is flying the actual plane, he only needs to learn how to fly.

Even practicing with a RC car helps. That's what I did.

Please don't skip the trainer plane just because your club has an instructor willing to buddy cord you for months and months. This is an abuse of the instructor's time and patience. These guys like to fly their own planes every once in a while and don't always want to be baby sitting someone who is flying something that a beginner has no business trying to fly.