Scoffing at people that are on buddy boxes shows a bit of disrespect for those that are doing just that and for the instructors that spend the time to help these people. If you think you learned how to fly on the sim, and believe you have it all locked up after three gallons of fuel, well, good for you. It will take many more gallons of fuel to really learn what is necessary in this sport to graduate out of the novice level.

Those of us that train others how to fly on buddy boxes will continue to do so, even if it is only two or three flights before we turn them loose on their own. As for me, it took me about three months of buddy box flying with several instructors (several because they all thought it was a good idea to get ideas and techniques from other pilots). And once I solo'ed, I still asked for help on the buddy box with a new plane, just to make sure all was well with both my plane and my flying habits. Every plane flys differently.

Sure, I've crashed a few, and so will you, that's a fact of life with RC. No matter what you think, you are still a freshman in this hobby no matter what you fly (meaning all of us). Buy that new low-wing aerobatic plane and you just became a freshman all over again no matter how much time you have on your high-wing trainer.