Long time flyer here as well. I will warn you in advance that you are headed down a path that may become very addictive? Just me, but I grow bored flying on a sim pretty quickly. If that happens to you as well, suggest that you pick up an electric powered profile made from EPP. EPP is durable, but when it breaks it does so cleanly, and it's easily reglued using about anything, including CA. Regular CA will not react with EPP.

Best of luck! -Al