I can only speak from my own experience, but I would highly recommend the Sig LT-40 Kadet. It is slow, stable and sturdily built. If you have any building experience I would try building one from a kit. It goes together easily, is relatively cheap (about $80.00) and you get to know a lot of the ins and outs of the plane. If you were not on the other side of the country, I would be glad to sell you mine. Unfortunately, it is too large to ship. I'm sure you will get plenty of other ideas from other members. Good luck and happy flying.