Delighted that you considering a more sensible route with some mentoring. You won,t regret it and welcome aboard. I think maybe using gloves is not a good idea while needling. In cold Wx I always remove one glove to do the needling. You need that sense of feel or things can happen. Your engine has a remote needle and its much further aft than a non remote type, it can be done quite safely as long as a healthy respect is maintained.

Just a thought on the Wrights actually they had a strong mentor by the name of Chanute . If you think about it they had six years to teach themselves and they crashed a lot and with every version of their machines.

John