Lots of good advice given already. Personally, I've NEVER landed a simulator plane properly. Two dimensions ( on the simulator) are not the same as three dimensions ( real life).

If at all possible, get an experienced person to help you for your first flights. Have him/her take-off and land..then let you fly when the plane is at least three mistakes high. Oh, three mistakes high was the one thing that I didn't do when I started out self-teaching myself. Seemed to me that lower and slower was safer...Nahhh...didn't work out that way.

You will get it. You might spend some $$$$...but...that is to be expected. Rich