Sims are great,
I learned completely on the sim, and not on G2,G3 or anything expensive ( G3 is great, if you can afford it of course), - no, I downloaded the free alpha version of FMS, and after a bit of juggling with setting up the controller ( I used a G2 controller ) and getting the screen resolution right, I found only one good plane on it and that was the Pitts Special, - it was very hard for a beginner to fly, but I persevered with it and after many flights, paying particular attention to getting the orientation right till it was second nature, practising landing again and again.
I used the throttle just a little over halfway, maybe two thirds open, as that was much more like the real thing - then I was a master - at least in my mind!

By the way, I found the sim is also great to learn how to trim the plane, - someone earlier said you can't do that!

When I went to the field with a scratch built 40 size foam & sticky tape trainer, I found the fresh air and the engine starting procedure a bit daunting, but flew it ok and was very pleased with the result, - takeoff was perhaps a tad harder than with the sim, but landing was a breeze - no real problems!

I had tried to fly a couple of times before finding FMS, with terrible results at takeoff - so the sim was the turning point of my flying career.

I could have gone to a proper flying field and found an instructor of course, but at 60 something, I tend to be a little too old and pig headed for that!