Sweetpea01.
I know you said Reaction 54 was on the list of don't want, but have you looked at the PST Reaction, it is full composite construction and a great first jet. I can say from experience that I have flown one for four seasons, going onto number five and yes it was my first jet and I still enjoy flying it as if was the first flight. It will fly with a turbine from 14 to 20lbs. and has great visibility and flight characteristics. The only thing that I would not buy from PST is the landing gear, not very strong and not trailing link, DreamWorks has a set that will drop in. There is a PST dealer in NY, as per the web site. As for getting help, if you are willing to drive a little bit the Night Hawk club in North Jackson has a number of excellent jet pilots that would be willing to help and it a really nice flying site.
Good luck, and as said earlier in the thread once you start there will be no turning back, very addictive.
Robert