Hi I saw no reply to your questions, I hope no one minds me jumping in.

The real flight simulator is a awsome tool in helping people this hobby. It will help you learn control functions and directions and not cost hundreds with every crash. Real life is different than real flight though, and experience can help with that. I recommend an instructor if possible. if not try a real simple aircraft. I mentioned the slo-v earlier in this thread. My dad learned to fly by himself with real flight and the slo-v. his 1rst few flights were a little scary, and he did kill the 1rst carbon fuslage, but it was cheap and easy to replace. He flys it so well now, I bought him a GWS INTERMEDIATE Tiger Moth. He now flys that very well. DO NOT try this as your 1rst plane! My point is, the Slo-V survived long enough to teach him to move on. Planes like A-10 WARTHOGS are not beginer aircraft. Your 1rst plane should be ugly, slow, stable, strong, and easy to repair. !rst planes should be boring looking and flying. The fancy, sexy stuff comes later. Get a Simulator and a Slo- V