sblaze,
Either the Realflight G2 lite(129.99) or Dave Brown (139.99)flight sims, both available through
www.towerhobbies.com. And yes, bravo ROG, for suggesting the USED model/radio route. Look in the hobby section of your local paper, or trader.
Spend the winter with the sim, find a used plane in the late winter/early spring.
Just a thought.
Jetts