There is so much to consider, and every person is different. In instructing over 40 years, I have had one person solo his first day flying. Actually no big deal starting out right. Right is a computer flight simulator. You can fly and crash all you can stand. No, wont let you fly the real one until you can land on the sim. every try. My student did it on his second try. First try he was too far away from the field. Second time I let him come down in the short grass but near the runway. He was off and running after this.

A United Airllines retired pilot with thousands of real time hours in our club has been at it for around two years now. He is still a poor pilot and crashes at lot just cause he will not listen. He knows it all except to be smart and learn from other peoples mestakes. The first day solo guy is racing and enjoying 3D while the pilot continues to struggle.

One club instructor has had guys in training for a year or more. When they finally get to solo, they are fine. In the meantime some quit in disgust. Find a instructor who will push you to succeed without overdoing things.

Best overall trainer if your instructor is like me is the Avistar 40. One club member learned on one, and flew it with modifications well into 3D. Club racers have a class for Avistars in the trainer form. The advanced guys build the wing streight, cut down to 40" span, streemline the nose some. They run in the 120-135mph range with a K & B 48 or webra 55. Good cheep Q-500 trainer. Have yet to fold a wing or have any tailfeather failures. Am a avid simulator fan, save some bucks and get one. Dont have to have a real flight G-5 or latet version of the Aero Fly Pro Deluxe. There are decent cheepies out there from Nitro Planes etc.

One member is currently training on a simulator, flying a foamy in the back yard and then goes to a 1/4 scale yak 54 gaser tamed down a lot at the club field. Its still flying well after one simi-minor mishap actually due to his instructor at the time. Instructor with years experience, simply not used to 3D machines. When the canopy came off at altitude and created even more drag, simply allowed the plane to slow until it fell out. A little power and things would have been just fine. Chose your instructor well. Practice, practice, practice!!