I have been using Flight simulators for longer than I care to remember. There is an on-line service called 'SATCO' which allows you to fly on-line in real time with real time ATC. You have the choice of being a pilot [your choice of aircraft] or working as a ATC controller. I agree that flight sims will not help you to fly but combined with a service like SATCO, will be a great help in communications, navigation and reading the gauges. The URL for SATCO is
http://www.satusa.org I hope this will help.