On the question of transitioning from one technology to another, I love an old tale of a very experienced but long since retired friend.
His interesting experience came in transitioning, at a ripe age but with lots of fascinating Types behind him, onto his first transport jet.
After a number of sweaty sim rides and post-sim long faces, he bounced out of the sim after one session with a grin from ear to ear ... "mate, he failed all the electrics ... it was just like flying a real aeroplane ..".
Thereafter, the conversion presented no fears.