Hi Carl.
You can do it.
I taugh myself to fly. The best advise on the landing someone gave me was "don't worry about putting down in front of you". If you have engines like mine they will quit when they feel like it. If that happens try to point the nose into the wind and land it. Even if it seems a 1/4 mile out, don't try to fly it back. The trainers generally can handle a plowed field or similar, just bend the gear back and do it again.
Only other thing is keep stick movements REAL SLOW. Don't worry about your building skills or covering, I've seen some pretty disgraceful stuff fly. Agreed on the wing thickness/cg.
If you are not in a club and out in a field by yourself, any old radio equipment works fine. (do a radio check)
Good luck.
Spanky