The beauty with Phoenix, is that once you have the 'dongle' (the special USB to controller cable that has the protection code embedded in it), you can upgrade the program forever and a day to the latest version (currently V4) free of charge. All new aircraft are offered as free downloads also.
Also, as the copyright protection software is in the dongle, you can install Phoenix on as many machines as you like, or actually even run it off a USB flashdrive as I do when I go away for work and only have my company laptop with me. I just have to remember to NOT forget the dongle as that is mandatory to run the thing.
Their alliance with Horizon Hobby (Hangar 9 / Specktrum etc) means that you can find 'realistic' versions of a lot of their planes within Phoenix, and setting up your DX8 will be a piece of cake.
The best point is that you use it in conjunction WITH a good instructor, as to get the best from it, you do need 1/2 and idea as what you should expect when actually flying.