Welcome!
In this , some folks pick-it up at a normal pace, some quickly, and some struggle with it. I've found that new pilots who have used a simulator tend to pick-up the basics faster and progress quicker . Now would these folks have done as well without using one.....I don't know ,but I still think and as mentioned, if used properly they do help. The biggest issue when flying is orientation and controlling the plane when it's going away from you versus coming toward you and this happens at takeoff throughout your flight and at landing. The simulator, can help you practice this as well as takeoffs and landings. What it doesn't do is give you an exact feel for the flying field in real life; 360 degree view, your peripheral vision, wind conditions, and a general sight, smell, feel. I like the Phoenix simulator for it's life-like backgrounds and models. Remember too you need a computer with enough horsepower to run these as they do consume a fair amount of resources.
The plane you picked is an excellent choice and if it is a new RTF Alpha 40 it will come with a DX5 transmitter . The DX8 is a more advanced version of that transmitter and it would be a good choice when you get additional models as you can program them all on that single transmitter but you don't need to spend the money on it at this time. You will also need to your ground support equipment like a field box, starter and battery, glow plug ignitor, fuel pump/can, charger, basic RC tools and quite often you can pick all of that up used on the classifieds,craigslist, or from members in you club.
Good Luck !