The best simulator on the market today is real fight G2 simulator

It is Around $175 - $200

you can check it out at www.realflight.com

I used it and spent nights and weekends preparing myself, adding high winds and programming flight failures to get me ready for problems in real life.

Once I thought I was ready I contacted a local club member to hold my hand for my first few flights.

I used the Alpha Trainer RTF .45 and the within three flights I was taking off, landing, loops spins, inverted.... basically any0thing I wanted..

I got tired of the trainer in a matter of a few weeks. I contribut my success and ability to the Sim..

Within my first five flights I had to dead stick ( Engine Died ) land the plane twice and both times I used my sim knowledge and gained speed and turned her in and put her down on the middle of the runway both times..... I fear if I had not practiced this situation on the sim I would be less one plane!

Good luck, get us up to date on your progress!