Great post, Ken. A similar but far safer (well, mostly) situation exists in training people new to flying r/c model planes. At my club we use a computer in the club room to familiarise students with using a radio transmitter and coming to grips with flying a model by line of sight. Often the most difficult students are retired pilots, who believe they know what to do, but have never stood on the ground and tried to land a plane coming towards them.
Regardless, the r/c simulator, although fun, and these days quite sophisticated, is hopeless compared to a student and instructor flying a real model in real wind, using a buddy box transmitter who can take over at the flip of a switch and (hopefully) get the club trainer aircraft under control before it goes splat…especially if it’s going to go splat into areas where club members or guests are relaxing.