so welcome- I also am self taught (of course still learning). I made the mistake of buying an underpowered electric foamie three channel-I wont mention names GWS -for my first attempt. It was so discouraging that I stopped for awhile and almost did not come back. I have been putting in time on The sim and am about to start construction on a 40 size trainer/sport. You do whatever feels right for youI never was much of a joiner. If money was a problem, then maybe I would advise differently. But it seems you want to be a builder and I respect that. You will learn a great deal of aero dynamics etc just by building and understanding why things are built the way they are.
I would advise buying a simulator-just for the fun on days you can't fly. Teach yourself and the lesson will be the more valuable.[sm=49_49.gif]