Hello Frost,

You can get the information on clubs from the Academy of Model Aeronautics, aka AMA (which you should join for your liability insurance).
I would recommend that you firs visit the club, and see the typical trainer plane set up used at that field. This assures you that the instructor(s) who will train you are familiar with your equipment, and can give you the proper help.
Over here, most beginners use the Hobbico Avistar with OS .40