As RCKen put it so well all I'm going to do is agree with him,
My first question would be do you jump into a full scale plane that is a type you are not familiar with or rated for and just "go for it"? Same thing applies here with the only difference being there is no law forcing you to get instruction.
As one full scale pilot to another, the only thing that carries over to models is aerodynamics. Yes, making the plane do what you want still requires basic knowledge of what controls to move and when, are exactly the same as full scale, orientation is key with models.
So unless you have lots of full scale aerobatic time, not just unusual attitude training, then I would also recommend an instructor. Learning to fly can be easy for some and hard for others. Being hardheaded can cause problems and cost you in the end. Besides just think of all of the new friends you will make if you also join a club. As a full scale pilot you already know that being a pilot pretty much automatically gains you friends just by going to your favorite FBO's. Same thing in a club, BUT as in participating in "Hangar Sessions" as you do in full scale, shooting the breeze with other club members will help you gain all of those little things that you only get from someone passing it on to you. Sure RCU is a great source of info and you will always find tons of help and opinions, but being there is allot easier than typing something into a box to reply to someones quyestion.
Sure, people have succesfully learned to fly on their own and if you really decide to do it that way, please follow everyones advice and verify your at least 3 miles from another RC field, and at least a mile from anything resembling people, buildings, well traveled roads.
Oh and one last thing, view this video, this is a 15 yr old kid that is severly handicapped and in around 20 flights with me look at how smooth he is and particularly his landing at the end. Sorta puts the stops on landing being hard to do and definitely shows how flying with an instructor will help.
http://www.hiddenhangarrc.com/video/...xpert_test.wmv
OK guys, I'll stop pushing my video now
Can't help it, it's a pride thing
