As a recently soloed pilot (after 5 flights on the buddy box), let me add my 2 cents.

If you can't find an instructor, start with electrics. You CAN learn to fly a parkflyer with just a sim and a lot of glue. You could then move up to more and more advanced electrics and maybe safely fly a gas trainer without an instructor.

However, in my experience, DO NOT underestimate the difficulty in:

1) Getting the engine to run right. If your a novice, dead stick can equal dead duck. You may get the engine to run ok on the ground, but once she's airborne, all bets are off. I still get someone to check the tuning of my engine.

2) Trimming a gas trainer. I was flat amazed at where the flight control surfaces ended up after the ship was trimmed out. Setting them flat and level by eyeball was practically wasted time. On her maiden flight, she started rolling badly to the right and pitching down. Fortunately, the club president did the maiden voyage and got her up high enough to trim. I'd have lasted about 12 seconds.

In know this is a gas-oriented forum, and it is rare for anyone on these boards to admit electrics might be a valid option, but if you really can't get an instructor that's what I would do.

Good luck,

GB