Navy,

I'm sure you will get lots of different opinions but here's my take. After you're comfortable with a fast sport plane (ie like a Ultra sport 60, fast warbird etc), get some pattern experience on pattern and some quickie 500 planes (or other very fast prop experience). The pattern will help you get used to all of the control inputs you need to have for all attitudes of flight (vertical, inverted, spins, push and pulls). These will really help you in your decisions on what controls to input for your future df/turbine. Quickie type airplanes are very helpful for getting used to the rapid reaction times that are "sometimes" necessary when flying a jet. I have very rarely ever had to use the massive elevator pulls or roll rates in my jet flying but the Quickie 500 planes get you used to the speed.

After that, I'd suggest getting a D/F if money is an issue at all. You can probably find a Ready to Fly DF around here for less than $1500 or build your own for about the same amount. Learn about retracts, air lines, brakes, etc. It's usually much cheaper to learn on (and tear up) a ducted fan than a turbine. Nearly all the ducted fans I've crashed have had salvagable engines, radio gear, retracts etc. Of the turbine crashes I've personnaly witnessed, the "salavagablity" is usually seems to be a little lower due to fire or higher speeds.

ABOVE ALL, talk to people about what they use, building techniques, kits suggestions etc. I first saw jets at the 8th Annual Greater Southwest. Talked to a bunch of people, saw what flew and what didn't. Then bought an old Regal Eagle that 1/2 a dozen guys learned to fly on in Lubbock and then moved on to bigger and better things.

Good luck

Hank