+1 on that, I found Phoenix more use when getting into planes than I did when using it just for Heli's, and their what I brought it for originally! I guess it has a lot to do with the simple fact no two RC models ever fly exactly the same in the real world due to expo, link throws, servos etc etc, I just found a little tweak on a given Phoenix model's expo, response speed etc was all it took to have it fly like on I actually had - heli or plane.
Regardless, of the old brand loyalty deal folks might have, as long as it's one of he higher end sim's like Phoenix, Realflight, Reflex etc, they will all teach you the basics of what it is you are trying to do. True, there is no substitute for real world stick time, but they will get you there (where ever your specific "there" is) cheaper and faster that you can by not having a GOOD quality sim. IMO, the high end sim is one of the best things to ever happen to this hobby - period!.

They can also help in taking the 'edge' of this drug we call RC Modeling when the weather outside is biblical


Final passing note on the value of good sims, a few years back, a guy who won our nationals for 3D helis here actually spent 4 or so months prior just going hard core on his sim learning to fly (from scratch) .... came out won the nat's .... yet couldn't do a circuit as he hadn't focused on them! I had 2-3 different folk verify that story when it went around, one guy I trust had even met the dude in question who admitted that to him!!