I agree, a decent flight SIM is almost mandatory. Is the Microsoft SIM the one with the large joystick? That looks like fun. Atleast with RealFlight, you can use your own Spektrum RC. It just takes some setting up, I have been enjoying RealFlight 6.5 for a couple few years, and recently picked up the RealFlight Drone Flight SIM. Check it out, www.realflight.com/drone .
This is a valuable tool to teach youngsters the RC basics, too.
RedHotPoker
This is a valuable tool to teach youngsters the RC basics, too.
RedHotPoker