simulation CAN help in this situation.

To me it seems like he has full rates ON. That enables MAXIMUM throws in the simulator and you only need minimal inputs to fly.

He needs to use slow rates and reduce the throws even more by editing the plane. just so that more stick movement is required to fly the plane.

What's happening is he's getting used to flying with full rates on the sim and when he gets to the field, he's still using the same stick movements but is not realizing that the plane is now a trainer plane with (possibly) lower rates.

I've never been with an instructor. Yet, I've learned everything on a sim. Snap rolls, Knife edge and other maneuvers. I just recently have getting my self familiar with rollings circles... I would NEVER dare try that on my plane yet. It took me a while to get both sticks moving at the same time ( Aileron for the roll, then rudder to keep the altitude, aileron again to roll the plane and up on the elevator to keep altitude steady and roll again and now apply opposite rudder and level off) That's a lot of stick movement for a roll at a steady altitude. When I first started this manuver, I could not for the life of me get both my thumbs moving at the same time. I practiced for 3-4 hours and finally I could move my rudder while also controlling my ailerons and elevator. Now, I can do a steady roll in any direction.

Our best pilot at our field, who's only been flying for about 5 years now can do wonders with his extra 30%. Things that the veterans can only dream of doing, when we ask him where he learned it all....his only answer was that he Masters the maneuver on a sim first, then applies it to the plane.

Do NOT under estimate the power of the Simulator :P.