Get to a club if there's one in your reach. Unfortunately most hobby shops these days can't stock or provide any direction with the flying aspect of RC hobbies other then RTF foam electrics and everything needed to support and repair those. Gone are any experienced help, technically you're on your own. Generally nobody knows how to fly a plane or heli..its' all about part numbers, and/or internet info.. of which you can find on your own. They always say "we can order it"... but fact is so can you just like they can, for same money, and have it delivered to your doorstep.

I've been involved in RC for 45yrs, and at this point, everything I do is shipped. There's no hobby shop in 150 miles that can support where I'm at in the hobby... and that's even a stretch... but being willing and able to order what I need is really the reason I fly what I want.

You're selling yourself way short by not being open to mail-order... seriously you're shooting yourself in the foot. There's so much out there if you just click that mouse and wait a few days... it all comes to you magically. I'm living the dream because of it... as are many of us. Don't let shipping hinder you.. that's just a weak excuse.

Just keep reading, and you'll do fine. The RC dream unfortunately isn't found in a local hobby shop these days.