Paul,

There are a lot of different types of people on these boards, some are old crotchety and some are very cocky and opinionated, but for the most part they are good people. There are a lot of folks who have been in the hobby a very long time who have seen a lot of aspiring flyers take the self taught road only to fail and leave the hobby. Many here just feel the path with the highest success rate and highest "Stick with it" is the instructor, AMA field, buddy box, etc. path. Regardless of how untactful they may have been, they likely have good intentions and just want to see you succeed. Now, with that said, what you do with your money, time, and on your personal property is your own business and if a grown man has made a decision to do something (legal) then by god who am I to say you can't or shouldn't. Nobody here has the right to attack you, only to offer advice and opinion in a constructive way. Since early on you stated you were aware of the instructor issues but didn't want to go that route then that should have been the end of it.

I wish you luck and am looking forward to hear the stories, for better or worse.