I'd just like to add my voice to the chorus of advice here:

1. Get an instructor. It's a lot of fun, you'll make some great friends, and you'll have an enormously better chance of having your plane in one piece at the end of the process

2. Build the LT-40 from the kit. It's a really simple build, so if you get a kick out of putting things together and working with wood then this kit is a great introduction. There's nothing quite like seeing something you built from the plans up leave the ground and go soaring into the sky Also, when you build from the kit you become far more confident in both repairing and modifying your aircraft. When you start feeling comfortable with the '40 you'll probably want to perform some of the more common modifications on it, such as replacing the landing gear, switching to wing bolts instead of rubber bands, and the ever popular tail-dragger modification. Don't be in too much of a hurry to do these though

3. Get an instructor.

4. Have fun! It's a great hobby, and one it seems that can offer you endless challenges no matter what your experience level!

5. Get an instructor


Cheers, and good luck!

Neil.