Thanks, bubbagates, that's good info. You have given me renewed intrest in spending time on my SIM!

parktm, I still think that you could easily skip the typical high wing trainer if you want to (WITH the help of an instructor). If you can line up a runway for landing on the sim, you can do it with a real plane. Ground handling/taxi/takeoff with my friends low wing plane was much easier than with my high wing trainer, as the trainer seemed top heavy and tipsy on bumpy areas. When I got confident with my trainer, and started trying anything "fancy", I just got frustrated. The only thing it would do well was loops. Rolls were ugly, inverted flight was like pulling teeth, if you wanted to fly fast, it would just climb like mad... well, you get my point. A trainer is what it is. If you can bypass it, then more power to ya'!
Don't try and jump into an EXTRA or a warbird or anything advanced. But a low wing semi-symetrical wing with a little dihedral-- no problem IMHO!
Give us a shout back as you make your decision, and keep us informed how your first flights go!

ScottyO.