RE: SIMULATOR FOR PATTERN
I tried Realflight G4, AFPD, Reflex and Phoenix RC. Realflight is quite good and you can find a few pattern planes to download, the only problem i had was with the vertical lines. Somehow the plane always pulled to one side or another during the verticals. I calibrated my controller many times and i also tried to adjust the engine side thrust, but i didn't notice any effect.
Phoenix RC was my final choice; you can download the ZN Line Alliance model on the official page and it flies very well. It just needs a little more power, but you can edit the model and add more thrust. The landing is not very realistic; the model floats at incredible low speed for a 5Kg plane, but my purpose was to practice pattern flying, and Phoenix RC does this quite well.