I think he gets the message

basic steps

1- high wing trainer
2- low wing trainer
3- something sporty, or something silly if your confidant


Looking at you sig the radio install and engine setup wont be a problem, so it's really just the flying that you need to get the hang of,

A high wing trainer is normally the first plane simply because their easier to fly, when your flying for real, the adrenaline's pumping, your a bit shaky you'll have your hands full just doing circuits for a while, sim or no sim.


The biggest advantage you have, being (i assume) pretty good with the ground based RCs is the flying towards you, it's one of the biggest hurdles to get over, but once you get the hang of the controls, and get the feel of flying it should come naturally

BTW, i come from an RC car background, and it really does help alot, but for jumping to aircraft you still need to start at the bottom and work up, well, i say bottom, but the .40 size trainers sill aren't the easiest things to fly, for that parkflyers are the way to go, the GWS slowstick pretty much flys itself


And just in case, you do know about the [link=http://www.bmfa.org]BMFA[/link]? they'll do your insurance (a must at most clubs, normally included in the club fee) and they have a good list of clubs on the site