Difference is...the real thing is different however, the two are closely related. Gotta do both and they compliment each other. Absolutely the sim helps with orientation and trying new things but they are what they are. A sim and real time flight, different. I practice rolls and inverted stuff on the sim which I would not do for real cause I don't have the flight time. Combine the two...don't get lost in either...least that's what I found.