I soloed over a year ago without buying or using a simulator. However, in moving to more advanced planes and maneuvers I thought it would be an advantage to practice on one...and the Realflight version includes at least one plane I have but have not yet built. I first ran the dem and found it clumsy to use the keyboard and now that I have the full version don't think the demo is very helpful. I did not want to pay $200 for one but now that v4 is out you can get v3 for around $150 new and I was able to pick up a used copy off this site for $110 including shipping.

Comments: In some ways it is easier to fly than a real plane...for example there is less tendency to bounce on landing, and much less tendency to break off gear in doing so. On the other hand, it is harder (at least for me) to see the plane in the distance due to screen resolution, and landing is a bit dicier as you can't see both the field and the plane at the same time to line up and must therefore use landmarks around the field for turn in points. A decisive plus was that I could learn to do aerobatics flying the Yak 54 and fool around with scale warbirds, flaps, retracts, etc. without buying (and destroying) planes. In fact, I have now added Immelmanns and Split S's to my "real" flying from practice on the sim, and will soon add Cuban Eights. The Realflight system is very comprehensive and well thought out and I recommend it highly (though I have no experience with other systems).

Hope this helps