If you just can't get an instructor, I second what nilo just said. Also try and determine what radio setup they use in your part of the world. It's either mode 1 or mode 2. Set yourself up accordingly so on the off chance you do meet up with some fellow pilots you will have similar controls. Here's a link to Aircraft Proving Grounds beginner section that has a lot of good info on radio modes and a lot of other stuff: http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/novice.htm

- Joe