I don't know if anybody has posted yet, but I'll pitch in my 2 cents.
I started off with FC3, people claimed it was a decent module for people to get started in. It was, you get to learn a lot of nice stuff and without far too much effort.
My step from FC3 was in the F-86F, it's a step back in terms of technology, but it was a nice transition into a fully clickable cockpit. After spending some time in something you feel like is more challenging, I'd suggest either going for the A-10C or the MiG-21. The A-10 is pure rape in terms of things you have to learn, but it's all worth it in the end.
From there, if you can master the A-10C, you can master damn well everything.