Actually, I guess I kind of regressed in the learning stages. Years ago, it was standard practice to learn on a rudder/elevator plane, then 'advance' to a 'full-house job' (terminology at the time) with ailerons, rudder, elevator and throttle. I didn't start that way! I DID learn before the park flyers got here, so I learned on a .40-size 4-channel plane. (*blush* actually, a series of 3 planes).

That's a good way to go. Nothing wrong with that advice from anyone. You have a plane that'll do anything you ask of it, in general, is big enough to see and capable enough to fly in most conditions. You learn about coordinated flight, engine handling, etc...

I said I regressed. That's cuz at the same time that I was learning on the 4-channel trainer, I was learning on my Electra which is a 2-meter polyhedral glider - rudder/elevator/on-off throttle only. I also built, later on, an old-timer from plans that was rudder-only. They're maneuverable enough for fun flying, a little more relaxing than a 4-channel plane, and simpler.

(In the meantime, I built and flew a couple 1/2A aileron/elevator models - no throttle, either)

For the first couple outings, you (and the instructor) will be content if you don't crash. After a couple of flights, though, he should be pointing out ways to improve your flying. A coordinated turn is much nicer and more graceful than aileron-only. Once you can keep it in the air, you'll be amazed how much stuff you can do wrong to a plane. And you'll start noticing subtleties that aren't obvious at first.

It's all fun