Greetings and welcome. I am currently in flight school at local airfield. She will probably train on a Cessna 172.

I would check out garage sales to find a practice kit. Also Hobby Lobby has sales on their kits regularly.

I just bought the Iwata Eclipse airbrush ($170) and I really like it.

I think prep work is key to a good paint job. Filling seams, sanding, and filing.

As others have mentioned, thin layers of paint is the best way to go