It is darn near impossible for someone to easily get into this game without mining helium or getting money from someone else. Why? Because you start in a starflier. I think you should start in a startracker.
The Starflier is one of the most iconic ships in the game, to change it, or to start with another ship would be insane, without a VERY good reason (i.e it was horrifically bugged, or other such calamities).
Excuse me? Starflier not living up to your expectations?
It is possible to get a Heimdall from the wreck to Manhattan with the starting starflier and NO OTHER new items, except maybe the level 1 missile launcher depending on whether wreck is respinding to guns. So no, Starflier is still useful and you CAN get money from just it. I've dont it numerous times.
Starflier also teaches new pilots the ability to survive.