Troyp, i am also learning to fly without an instructor, and it's very daunting, especially on an old bipe ( tail dragger).

I have done a few high speed runs , almost took off, just to get the hang of it, but after a while I realised this plane is just too advance for a first time r/c pilot.
I m sure i could handle it, but its balsa and my thumbs aren't so experienced.
I have flow full scale Cessna 172s and microlights and turbine helicopters ( Alouette 2 ) fine on my first flights , but i sense something about these little planes, especialy the minimal response times.
A month or two back I was doing circuts on a Super Stick of my friend's, I found it OK, but wasn't happy about landing these things, in all I have flown 5 times.

Just the other day i found that I had some PVC pipe, and I am now in the late and finishing stages of building, these are semi-indestructable and 'ok' for learning on, not the best bye any standard. I chose to build the DPS, Das Plas Stick.

I feel my confidence growing, hopefully I won't become 'cockey' as they say. But I will be going solo on this spad and I think i will be able to do it now that it is a trike gear configuration, not as trickey as a tail-dragger.

Anyway, good luck for your endevours, I just wanted you to know that your not the only one in your situation, give me a shout if you want some advice, and I will keep you informed on my progress,
Cheers troyp,
LEDZ