the simulator will help you get oreintaion and stick control down but there are differences between real flying and the simulator. The simulator will give you a fighting chance of a plane surviving the first flight if you don't have an instructor. The only other advice I have is to maybe buy a slightly less well flying trainer like a duraplane or a Kombat 40 armidillo or maybe even build a spad. These airplanes fly a little hotter then regular planes and are heavier but they are extremly durable. I have cartwelled a duraplane 3 full rotations and I just slid the wing back into proper orientaion refueled replaced the prop and took off again. They can take a beating if you don't have someone to help you