I have the same RC Real Flight software and training hardware and it is excellent.
The look and feel is just like the real thing. So many planes to chose from.

One of the training planes I purchased in both nitro methanol version and full electric version is called NextStar Select and they are excellent value for money, easy to fly and look excellent.
As you said, the ARF (almost ready to fly) kits are excellent.
The NextStar Select models are even more finished than the ARF models in that they can be unboxed and ready to fly in 15 minutes. A great hobby if u can get used to the flight controls and have good co-ordination. It's not easy. Some people pick it up real easy and others constantly battle to get it right. I enjoy giving some of my planes to expert flyers at the club and watching them fly the ones that are too advanced for my skills.

Helicopters are not easy. That is a very difficult thing to get used to when u go to large models which have helicopter blades 4 foot and 6 foot in size. People who can fly them are very talented. Those Helis are thousands of dollars as well. I know that I could never get that good.