ORIGINAL: Jim Dines

The advice you have received about getting instructional help is good and consistent with the current mind set about learning RC flying. However, it hasn't always been so, as prior to the widespread use of the buddy box, the usual learning process was to learn by trial and error. This does work. Try a flight, crash, identify the error, repair (or replace) the plane, try a flight, crash, identify the error ..... and so on. I know this works because that is how I learned RC flight. Eventually, most of the typical errors are experienced and corrected, physically and mentally. After a while, it becomes longer intervals between crashes untill the day when you bring home the plane in the same condition as when you left. I still remember that momentous day! I did have the benefit of having built and flown models (not RC) for many years before and building/reparing was not a big deal and was in fact a large part of the enjoyment of the hobby.

The urge to fly is a strong one, go for it in the best way, you choose. Good luck.