From another rookie, by the numbers:

1. Join a club. Free food at annual meeting.
2. Buy used trainer with engine. Crashing a new one hurts too badly.
3. Use the club instructor. He's old, he's cranky...yes, he is an uncultured expert! :angry:
4. If you're filthy rich, buy Great Planes Realflight simulator. :greedy:
5. If you're poor like the rest of us, buy a used Realflight simulator. See e-bay for lots of listings.
6. T6XAS is what I bought... no complaints.

Here's a link for ground school freeby: :sleeping:

http://webpages.charter.net/wrhardin/gs/index.html

Fred
Strasburg, VA