I think it irresponsible for anyone to encourage this idea of learning on your own. The last post eluded it could be done under certain circumstances. Given where metabolicmaggot states he is from this really a bad idea. Highland, Indiana is in Northwest Indiana part of Chicago land. It is a densely populated area with not many open areas, and no parks were flying is legally allowed. On the other hand as I stated prior there are at least four clubs within a 15-20 minute drive that all have sanctioned flying fields and all have instructors and none of them have club fees that are hefty. As someone said it could give us all a black eye if you go out and do something foolish. Being a flier in the same area at on of the four clubs I know we need no p/r. So let's stop encouraging this kind of behavior for the sake of this hobby.