Dennis, my name is Evan Doughty and I'm the president elect of the Flying Aces Pilots Association. We fly out of the Waymer R/C field just south of Huntersville and I think you might have been to our field. The gent at the hobby shop that you refer to is a self proffesed instructor. I suggest you take your time and find an instructor at one of the local clubs, ours of the Charlotte Aeromodelers. Take the time to ask people about their recommendations and as said treat each opinion as just that. There are many good trainers out there and getting one through a mail order house such as Tower Hobbies is an excellent way to go as long as you know what you want. Visiting a local hobby shop is good in that you can see what you are about to get and most hobby shops stand behind what they sell and will help you along. I use both mail order and the local shop. I want the best deal on the major purchase but am smart enough to realise that if I need a prop or a gollon of fuel I need the local shop to be there for me and if I don't patronize them they won't be there. I assume you went to the Hobby Town on Harris. My opinion is that is one of the poorest shops we have in the area. The best one reasonably close is Hobby Stop in Rock Hill, exit I-77 at exit 77 and go west about a half mile, it's on the right. They are almost entirely R/C and have a lot of very informative people. The best hobby shop in my opinion is NC is way up 85 and hour and a half away. Please talk to a bunch of people and when you find someone that you like and trust listen to him. Please join the AMA as all local flying areas and clubs will require it, plus it's great insurance and a good magazine. Good luck and I hope yo enjoy your new hobby