When I started to fly RC planes there were not internet, or flight sims, only my Instructor and some fellows with advanced capabilities that used to help me in my very beginning. I really listened to them and they were my teachers for a long time. Stepping from a trainer is like a graduation, and when I finally learned to fly the trainer the right way, it suppose to be ready to fly at all times, I had to take of, make some aerobatic routines and land safely in a predestined area all by myself, then I could go and buy a low wing trainer and again fly with the instructor, with the same history as the trainer, if you broke the plane there is not a valid point to go for a harder plane to fly, that was then. Now I can fly almost all kind of planes but I do not hesitate to ask for help when I am arriving at the field with a new model and feel like my knees are shaking. I have helped a lot of guys and beginners at our field and I have received more that what I have given by now. Living in a new era, with many developing technologies, massive information from internet, flight sims, gently trainers with already broken engines, can give me an idea that a student can go faster than I did (I have seen it) but in the other hand I have to say that if someone is stepping from crashed planes, then, there is a lack of education. I believe that many of us are older people that pay their own bills, and if someone wants to go and buy a very nice plane with a great engine and wants to fly it with or with out a good education, then, it is out of our hands to stop him or discouraging him. Some good pilots learned the hard way, others got tired of waste their money and went to look for some other interesting hobby. Let's support to everyone that is in need of help and we will see how this new pilot can grow.
With all my respect to all members.
Alfredo