Lots of comments from instructors here -- so I'll add mine. In my personal opinion, a sim, PLUS an instructor/buddybox combo is the best way of all. The sim sure can't do it all, but the student definately benefits from sim time. The instructor not only provides face-to-face real-time instruction, he/she provides immediate feedback, discipline (in the sense of requiring the student to follow specific flight exercises), and numerous "saves" that the sim just can't do. The fortunate student who has all of those aids available, will have a much higher liklihood of success than with a sim, or instructor alone.