RE: rudder
If you want to greatly improve your learning curve, allowing you to fly the hottest planes, then I strongly advice you to start learning rudder control imput NOW! Flying is much more than simply controlling the plane in the air.
Once you encounter crosswinds, short fields, and heavy wing loaded airplanes you will be suprises at how well this rudder thing is. Remember the old addage, if its worth doing its worth doing well. Learn the rudder and you will be in an elite class of pilots. There won't be anything you can't fly. Good luck.