Hi there metabolicmaggot.

Welcome to R/C Realm[8D]. I have been flying the plane almost for the last 16 months not years, I had P51 Mustang PTS, My mustang crashed it was not my fault, it was due to Rx failure which burned inside, my high wing trainer, unfortunately a friend of mine lost it in the air, it was a great flying plane, nearly 14 months I have been flying solo, I control plane well, land it good, and take if off nicely, Im pretty confident now. When I started flying on the Simulator, I flew it for a month, then I was pretty confident, I can fly by my own, but honestly, when senior flyer handed me the Tx, I was going to crash my plane, in couple of seconds, he took the Tx from me, and told me, you need training. I used to get so aggravated why the hell they don't let me fly, but honestly, Simulator flying is much more different then real flying, Sim does help a lot, get you control over gimbals and many things, but with senior flyers I learned more quicker than flying on my own, and crashing the plane in the first place. I can assure you with instructor, maximum 15 to 20 flights you would be flying solo, if you learn quickly like I did, which Im sure you can, its another plus point. Getting an instructor saves time and saves your plane.

now Im flying my second plane, which is easy sports, unfortunately engine is giving me hard time, and I know I can fly it easily, one of my friend who is senior flyer and instructor, he hands me his plane, for take off, for landing for everything without having a fear of being crashed as he sees me flying.

Im sure you would progress quickly.

All the best to you

Mody