Having learned at a non-towered airport, my nod goes there for primary training. The FARs require training at a towered airport for a private license, so a student will get the exposure.
For me, the biggest challenge at a towered field was non-standard traffic patterns. After learning and getting comfortable with the regular downwind/base/final pattern, the long legs (especially final) I was given at a towered field really messed with my picture of the final approach. By the same token, a new pilot flying the close pattern of a small, non-towered field may feel that he is in way too tight until he gets used to it.
I now do a lot of my flying from a Class C airport, and know of a number of pilots who won't come anywhere near towered airspace.
Regarding primary training, the cost may be less at a non-towered airport, since operating expenses will usually be less.
I have one hour on a flight school "simulator". It was the type where you use a PC monitor. To me, it was not realistic; maybe I need to spend more time on one. I also used FlightSim '04 for working on procedures for my instrument rating.
It really helped me learn instrument procedures, but it was a very poor substitute for the real thing.
For me, the biggest challenge at a towered field was non-standard traffic patterns. After learning and getting comfortable with the regular downwind/base/final pattern, the long legs (especially final) I was given at a towered field really messed with my picture of the final approach. By the same token, a new pilot flying the close pattern of a small, non-towered field may feel that he is in way too tight until he gets used to it.
I now do a lot of my flying from a Class C airport, and know of a number of pilots who won't come anywhere near towered airspace.
Regarding primary training, the cost may be less at a non-towered airport, since operating expenses will usually be less.