Barnz,
Everything you described is exactly what the plane is going to, and is supposed to do. The left turning tendency is caused by the engine's torque, and others will add, prop wash and "P" factor, but let's not worry about it.

The remedy is adding right aileron once it's in the air. On the ground right rudder will help the plane track straight, in the air you need ailerons.

Ailerons control "roll" (self explanatory), rudder controls "yaw" (swinging the nose side to side), elevator controls "pitch" (pushing the nose up and down).

As Bassman mentioned; trimming the plane is a necessity, and one you'll have a hard time doing if you're struggling to keep it in the air.

An hour's drive to the field, at least until the plane's trimmed, and you learn to fly, is a small price to pay.

I would also suggest that you reconsider flying a glow powered plane anywhere other than a "club" field. The dangers are incredibly high if flying in a park or anywhere else the public can go. If you have at least ten private acres, maybe. Just remember that one of these can fly for miles if you lose control.

They have also, on a few occasions, killed people when they were hit by one.

Is there a plane that will help you learn more easily? Well, a simulator will help some, and as was just mentioned, a 3 channel electric may help (4 channel would be better), but all in all, nothing else you do will prepare you for the first few glow flights, because there's nothing that's really like it.

Good luck, and welcome to RCU and RC flying!
Dennis-