If you managed to install it in a VM, then a real RPi will be no problem for you.
(There is a dedicated sd-card image from flightaware, so that’s basically the setup completed. You can activate ssh and chose network settings via config file on the boot partition of that sd-card)
Just get the standard RPi 3B+ and the original power supply and a mini sd-card.
There are also kits available but i haven’t tested them.
I’ve listed the stuff you need in another post:
(PlanePlotter to PiAware - #8 by wiedehopf)
Or where you asking for antenna / receiver also?