Both of your observations are actually relevant to flying the real thing as well.

Keeping an eye on the runway out of the corner of your eye, especially while landing, when you don't want to take your eye off the plane is one of the more difficult things about flying. It's actually worse in the simulator, but that's not a bad thing, as, if you get the G2 right, you will probably do it right in real life.

The other thing you mentioned is even more lifelike. It's a fact that the model is further away than you think when you first fly. Many people try to land the other side of the runway!.

Again G2 helps you with this.

I bet you will find that, once you get the hang of landing on the simulator, the real thing will be a lot easier than if you went straight into flying your model.

G2 is great. It's even good when you get more advanced when you want to practice aerobatics.

Be assured that the time you spend on the simulator is definitely not wasted.

Good luck!
-David C.