Purple Bird... Welcome This is a great hobby.. And you can gain
a lot of insight here and other places!! But it's still better to get in
your face help from fellow club members also!! But as with anything
take all with a grain of salt and use the info to fit you and your style..

All gave great advise... Just follow your engine manual and
you really can't go wrong!!... Well atleast warr. wise I think you
should always lock your throttle in the W.O.T. position after starting
and adjust RPM with the needle valve.. As a few has said you can
run 1 tank of fuel and start to fly with the setting still running rich a
few at the field does it like that and they have no problems.. I my
self like to do at least 3-4 tanks on the bench to give the engine more
time to "set" itself And hopefully limit the amount of deadsticks..

scotch tape does work great to cover those little boo boos... And I
have used it quite a bit... But I still like to cover it with something that
looks closer... So I always pick up a few sheets of the sticky backing
trim/patch sheets from the LHS or online somewhere.. They work
great and for the most part looks a little better... But as most have said
don't worry too much about your trainer... Get practice practice and
more practice

Since your Nexstar came with a radio, thats great... Now you can learn to
fly with it and maybe have a system to train others... But as you progress
with the training/hobby... Think about where you want to go and buy a
"next" radio a few notches above that thought, that way you'll have a radio
that will grow with you. There's a lot of good radios.. But after a while I think
you will find it hard to beat a JR or Fatuba.... I have two Airtronics.. a 400
and a RD 8000... But I'm starting to look at JR's....

Just wanted to add.... Have Fun... Be Safe and enjoy this Great money
grabing hobby....You will love it... Those that foot the bill or otherwise may
think different But where else can you have soooo much oily fun!!