Regardless of what simulator you may use, I totally recommend it.

If you are a total newbi such as myself there is so much you'll learn on the simulator that will help you when you are actually flying that otherwise you'd have to experiment on the actual plane with the risk of crashing if you make a mistake. On the long run, I feel the simulator pays for itself because it will save you a few crashes for sure.

I agree that the Alpha simulator is almost totally useless, but is better then nothing and comes free.