panzerd18, YES, it is possible to learn to fly without the buddy system. When i learnt to fly there was no such thing as buddy cord.As an istructor i have taught many people to fly without the buddy system for that reason, no match up. One thing you can do to help you along is go to your library and ask for David Boddington's book called "Basic Radio Control Flying" Read it carefully, and with that knowledge and an instructor you will have no problems. Iwish you all the best in modelling and many happy hours of flying.
the_madgenius