Well this is the beginner section, and the subject is "average training time for newbies", so as people can see, a simulator is a great tool to cut into that time, but not the only resource for everyone to get the job done.

Maybe 10 and 8 pitch prop is a lot of pitch for a Stick? Flaps help indeed. 50-55cc engines are above the manufacturers recommendations? You can find someone who has been there before, or go it alone. Which is easier? Certainly bad advice does happen here and there. One thing about a club is they usually assign someone that has proved his knowledge and has been tested for fitness to the position.

Anyone new can use a helping hand from someone with experience, and that he has a genuine interest in seeing the new RC pilot reach flying independently. For me, being 100% glow, Marty showed me how to tune my engines, Jack showed me how to land and hover, and Bob is one of my best buying customers, so I get to fly something different every few weeks turning over my plane to him after I do all the work. It is a lot of fun.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9925016/tm.htm

The learning never ends and that's why people enjoy sticking with this hobby for decades.

I'd still enjoy seeing a sim show a guy walking out there to clean up his crashed plane. [X(]