To those who say that you "CAN'T" learn to fly R/C without an instructor, that is total bull. I taught myself, and have never been on a buddy box, so dont tell me that it cant be done!

NOW, having said that, let me also say that I would not recommend self teaching to ANYONE who asks me about learning to fly R/C aircraft.
I was lucky and only rekitted two airplanes. Most of my minor crashes happened in very tall grass, so there was minimal damage. Cant remember how many props I broke, and how many times I straightened landing gear. Both of the planes that I totalled were planes that I shouldnt even have been flying as a beginner (contribute that to my hard head). When I finally got smart and bought a trainer, things started going a bit easier. But I still had my fair share of mishaps. I fly full size aircraft for a living, and that doesnt mean a thing when you start trying to fly R/C. The only advantage it gave me was knowing the aerodynamics involved in flight, period!
Unless you have an unlimited amout of money to throw into this hobby, sport, whatever you want to call it, you are much better off to seek out a competent instructor who can help you during your first flights. Even if it takes you two weeks or 6 months to solo, it is better than shelling out the bucks every time you fly because you keep crashing every time you fly. I am now to the point that I fly pretty well. Not nearly as well as I want to, but I keep flying and learning. But looking back on my experience, I would not have done it this way again.

Any one who says that self taught R/C CANT be done is fooling theirself. It is just not the best way to learn.