I tend to agree with ec121 though refering to pitch and yaw can be confusing to a beginner. Let me clarify it a little:
Yaw=rudder control on the rear of the tail/vertical stabilizer with the nose going left and right, normally done with the left stick moved left and right
Pitch=elevator control on the rear of the tailwing/horizontal stabilizer with the nose going up and down normally done with the right stick moved forward and back
Roll=aileron control on the rear of the wings that rolls the plane around it's body/fuselage and normally controlled with the right stick moving left and right
All that being said, the first thing you need to do is find an instructor. Many feel this will give you the best chance for success, me included.
Next, you need to get an airplane. This is where an instructor can help. You need to decide on your power source, nitro or electric, how many channel radio is needed to control the plane as well as ground support gear you will need to have to get your plane in the air.
Last, but not least, comes the radio gear. My advice is not to skimp on this as the radio is all that keeps your plane from flying away or crashing. A radio that can be used with or as a "buddy box" would be ideal. Again, talk with an instructor on this.
As far as a simulator, they can be helpful but they are no substitude for actually getting out and flying.