A bigger plane like the LT-40 will fly a lot better and be easier to learn on. If that plane is, in fact, a collector's item, then you'd do well to either sell it, or at least put it aside and get a plane designed as a trainer, and come back to the Fairchild later.

I'm not familiar with that plane at all, so I can't comment on it beyond saying that bigger always flys better. I've flown some 1/2A planes in that size range, and they are a bit of a challenge.

"normal glow fuel" just means something that is airplane fuel that isn't specifcally listed for helis or racing or 4-strokes. Now, the small engines do tend to like higher nitro, so I'd suggest something with 20% nitro. I happen to personally like Morgan fuels, Omega brand name. It has a little caster oil in it. So you'd look for Omega 20%. Other fuels are fine too, so whatever you can get locally would be ok. Some shops carry one brand, some other brands.

As for shops in your location, I'll bet there is one closer that you just don't know about. There is a rather active club just north of Richmond that I know of, and I'm sure there are several others. (I know of this one because I've flown there). They are in Hanover. Here's their url http://users.i-c.net/~hanoverrc/ They even have something on there about an expo and swapshop in Richmond in March.