All the above explained is true.

There are some free simulators that are good for starting creating the proper reflexes and understanding aerodynamics:

http://n.ethz.ch/~mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

http://rcdeskpilot.com/

http://www.realflight.com/free-g5-demo.html

For those, you can use just the keyboard or any transmitter that you choose plus a proper cable interface.

There are some rebates for Airtronics airplane radio systems currently,........and yes, they are good and you can use them:

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...ft-radios.html