I was self taught as a kid no internet no cell phones no RC clubs no help just RC magazines that I would wait for impatiently and devour every page including the adds wishing i had one of everything, just getting a transmitter was a monumental struggle a Dragstar bicycle cost less, but I pumped gas every weekend earning $12 per day.
I eventually purchased my transmitter/receiver and set up my plane I knew about CG and setting up because I flew control line and watched the older kids at the park and asked a 100 questions, so there I was just like "ted sanders" taxiing on the road into the breeze next to a field no intentions of flying but gave it a little too much nitro and up she popped up about 10ft in the air I cut the engine immediately and glided down about 100ft away perfectly on her own and landed in the long grass without touching the controls the CG was perfect. Well of course I had to try that again and again gaining confidence each time and eventually I left the gas on and flew a circle and started to get scared so as she came back I cut the gas and let her glide back down onto the long grass and landed safely, I was shacking like a leaf no more courage left I took my plane home but I flew for the first time, I spent more time gluing that plane together than flying it but I eventually got enough experience to fly/land her easily until it became boring I eventually replaced her with a low wing bigger/faster sportster and flew the crap out of her all the kids in the neighborhood would line up to watch her.
By the way no ARF's back then just a box of sticks paper and dope, and if you ran out of dope then moms flour and water in a pinch would not shrink as well though.