Simulators are a great idea, especially if you have trouble getting to an instructor.
FMS is a free simulator. Not as good as Real Flight, but you can't beat teh price.
There's a guy named Matt that builds an interface to connect your transmitter to your computer. He sells the interface, with FMS on a CD at a reaosnable price.
http://www.mattclement.freeservers.com/fms/fms.html
I have no affiliation with him, other than being a happy customer.
Good Luck,
Dennis-