I agree with all the points made above. I would add that talking to an instructor who could help you learn to fly real R/C when you decide to do so would be very benificial. Ask them what manuvers they think you should practice. As far as getting a simulator and then never learning to fly real R/C planes, this might be what the future will be. However, you won't end up making any flying buddies, learning about flight, aerodynamics, engines, or R/C equipment to any great depth, or my favorite part, building models (unless you build simulator models). The hobby to me is 60% building 40% B.S.ing, 10% actually flying! However, I've been invloved a long time so the actual flying can get sorta boring.