When I was in college I was fortunate to have a dad in the hobby. I might not have a plane but I could go home on the weekend and fly his. That said, you don't have to get out of the hobby. You might have to hang on the simulator for 6 months but you can have a very fun plane for around $100 bucks. My dad and I have scratch built our own profiles for under $50.00. You can get a Thunder .46 pro for around $65.00. They might not be impressive at the field but they are fun to fly.

A word of advice from someone who has been there, if money is a problem don't be doing low inverted passes. Have fun flying high. This will help with the dumb thumb accidents as well as engine failures. It is a rush to fly low but it isn't so much fun when you bust your only plane. Again, not being able to afford planes is another reason to be very meticulous with your maintenance and care of your equipment.

It is hard when you see the cool stuff at the field. When I was in college I thought I had arrived when I got a 25%er. Then I wanted a 33%. I got one a few years later and wnated a 35%. I now have a 35%er and want a 40%er. You just have to learn to enjoy what you have.

My thoughts,

Dan