Radios come with instructions, and you don't have to buy the most complex one anyway. My "old" radio has some features that I like very much even for simple planes: reversible servo direction, adjustable end points (even though it is still good to use most of the servo travel), and exponential. Expo lets me make control response softer near the center: easier to make very small control inputs. I don't much care for (or need) dual rates: I'd just forget to flip the switch(es) for when I want more or less surface movement.
For flying alone, you should certainly have a way to restrain the model so that it stays put when starting the engine. And spend as little time as possible to the side of the prop too.