Use it for what it is
The sim is a wonderful tool. It can be used for practice, discipline and learning. It's good therapy and repitition. For new flyers the drills of maintaining altitude, towards and away flight and the difference in stick movements, loops, rolls, straight flight etc. can be rewarding and beneficial. I turn off all of the flaming farm animals, barns, trees and picket fences and just fly. That is not to say that you'll be a hot shot pilot the first few times out, but the basics won't be such a slap in the face when you're on the flightline shaking. In short, it gently flattens out the learning curve. Over the years it seems that the new flyers that pick it up quick and fly like crazy with an inflated sense of accomplishment don't last very long. It's like they suck up the glory and move on to something else. Take your time, learn all that you can, and then go out and enjoy yourself_Bob