RE: learning on Sim.
AS long as you tink of it that way you will do fine. Things get a little more sureal out there at the field. If I am practicing rolling harriers on AFP I know that my inputs are correct but switching over to the real deal when the plane is live and distance isnt exactly as the sim interprets changes everything. I barely get started before the adreniline pumps the heart races and the plane just falls a certain way and bam I am out of it. Nerve racking to say the least. Good Luck