Welcome to RCU, and back to RC flight!

Glad you're planning on a club and instructor. I will mention one other thing, while Sims a great, and will shorten the learning curve substantially, they will NOT give you a real experience, especially FMS.

FMS does not allow you to practice flying in any wind, and almost every RC flight involves handling wind. FMS also makes landings easier than in the real world, and landings are mandatory.

No Sim will teach you how to trim the plane, or properly tune the engine. What they WILL do is allow you to make the same mistakes over and over wihtout teaching you the right way to fly a plane.

They will however, teach your fingers (thumbs) how to turn when the plane is flying toward you, and help you hone skills required to keep it in the air.

Good luck, and most of all, have fun!

Um, I guess that was more than one thing.
Dennis-