OK, a few tips:

1. Don't expect to learn the checklists off by heart. That is just way too much pressure than the average human can handle. ESPECIALLY if you have some family crisis etc. going on. And besides I don't think even real pilots know the checklists off by heart. 

2. Well. Its an OLD plane. Yes it is widely used today but don't forget this plane came from the 60's  (AND its beautiful-impossible!). There is no alt set. Alt hold only holds alt at the alt you had when you engaged it.

Hope this helped somewhat. Its pretty easy with checklists once you learn where everything is. Just like the Space Shuttle.