The sim. ( RealFlight) was great for me, the Spacewalker is very realistic and I found that when I actually flew mine, it was almost identical, except that the engine on the simulator was unrealistically powerful, and I wasn't prepared for the tipstall at takeoff when I tried to climb out at too steep an angle. ( soon sorted that out).

Landings I found were similar or a little easier, take offs a little more difficult (longer grass etc.)

I learnt by myself, so the sim was really invaluable, - I don't think that I could have done without it.