Well first off acctingman ,welcome to the hobby . It is a wonderfull addiction . First things first . It sounds like you are heading in the rite direction .finding a local club and making some new friends is a great place to start . Often they will have a club trainer that an instructor will teach you to fly . Somtimes you need to supply your own trainer ,Its good to talk to your instructor and ask if he has a prefferance on what he likes to train on . I would stay away from package deals where you buy your plane along with a radio often a four channel cheap radio that you will out grow and never be able to sell . You are better off to purchace a name brand radio with at least 6 channels . I am probably opening a can of worms as there may be a few different opinions on this . Remember this is just my opinion .What ever you do be safe . Stay away from the prop and have fun . And again welcome