Personal Opinion,

I think some individuals are suited to being self taught and others are more suited to instruction.
Certain areas you need help and advice.

My example: I had been raised inspired by flight with a father who was among the pioneers of hang-gliding and microlighting in NZ - as a 14/15 yr old kid I saved all my part-time job money for a kit and R/C gear - built my first kit glider and when I went to cover the wing the hobby shop man helped me to ensure no warp and some washout.

Then I spent an afternoon practising handlaunches and basic flight.
Then I spent an afternoon of launching from 10 foot hill aiming, crabbing, then full circle to land into the wind.
Then on a pod above the wing I mounted a babybee and flew circuits at 60 feet till cut out.
Then finally took her up as high as I could get on babybee for thermalling.
One day keen to impress father took her out in very strong/gusty conditions and lost total control numerous times before getting her down in one peice - GOOD EXPERIENCE!!

About 15 years later I finally got another cheap ARF electric glider - same process but probably only 30-40 minutes before I take it up thermalling.

Then I wanted an electric piper as trainer many people in this forum said it was not a good trainer - I went ahead anyway. I used FMS flight simulator flying a range of different planes and glider. What I learned with my first flight with the Cub when I just clipped a tree was patience is important and that HEAVIER POWERED PLANES need more room for approach and landing (My maiden flight had an obstructed landing site 15 by 25m that I could flare my glider in and if I hit the bamboo there was no damage) Once I found a suitable flying site I never had any problems flying or landing the Piper Cub.

The purpose of the cub was to learn 4 channel with a view to slope soaring. Well the other day with my new 4 channel electric glider a breeze came up and created lift on the ridge behind my launch site.

THE BEST experience ever was flying that figure 8 pattern for the first time enjoying what could potentially be a limitless flight time!!

Now I have the confidence to go to a slope and give it a go - I will make some more mistakes - GOOD EXPERIENCE!

I will be joining a club and whenever I meet people I will learn more about flying and site etiquette. NO DOUBT if I had had access to instructors I would be a better "pilot" and probably have less bad habits.

Along the way I need to thank those people who gave me advice or information (regardless of whether I followed it) because such advice was considered and always useful.

A big Thank You therefore goes out to people on this site who have freely offered me advice.