Well, I'd still try to find someone fairly local that can help, but....

That airplane is not common here, but I seem to remember looking at an eBay sale for that plane. IF it's the one I'm thinking of, it MAY be okay judging from what I read. (Did they have small animations at the end of the ad showing the control surfaces moving?)

Keep in mind, teaching youself to fly can be very difficult, and I doubt you'll learn without a number of crashes. It is possible though.

You might also watch eBay for a GWS Slow Stick (3 channel foam plane). They come with the electric motor and gearbox for around $40. With the Slow Stick, you can use standard size radio equipment, and Hitec 4 channel radios typically sell for about $115 (Or a LOT less used, but be careful). You'd still need an appropriate battery pack for the electric motor and a charger for the pack. Those two items might total another $50.

Better than $400 to $450 for glow that probably would not last through learning though!

BUT! If you enjoy this, and want to get into bigger stuff, the radio equipment that comes with those 3 channel packages is NOT useable in glow type airplanes. So you pay up front for good equipment, or you buy cheaper now, and pay later.

Good luck with whatever you decide. It's a great hobby!
Dennis-