Yetti, you have an interesting problem.

Let me ask you, who was there to instruct Orville and Wilbur? You got it - nobody! They learned. Mind you, it was not easy.

If you is the pioneer, you is on your own. Then you wind up teaching the followers. However, RC has gone way beyond that. It really is best and a lot easier when someone experienced shows you how. No need to crash everything in sight just to prove you can.

As far as your plane goes, IMHO, haveing flown RC since about 1969 and full size since about 1974, I'd suggest that very many people don't really know how a plane flys. And most of the trainers are built for advanced training. So you really should get some help.

If you insist on going it alone, you need to figure out how a plane flies first. And a very forgiving, easy to control model, built to fly, not crash, like a Sig Kadet Senior will last until it's worn out. Mine never need one repair over several yeas and countless flights and a variety of engines. That could be way better than having a heavy plane that survives a few crashes and is replaced for a few bucks, each time. It all adds up. And while you're making all those replacements, you're not flying.

The only way you'll learn to fly is by pushing that plane around the sky, not fixing, not replacing, not anything but fliny the real thing.

Did I mention that I've tried my friend's simulator? Well, I've also tried full size 747 and Dash 7 simulators too. The only ones I liked were the full size.

As far as the crowds at the club go, why not make arrangements to get out there with sopmeone before the gang shows up? I well remember the summer I had my plane in the air by the time the sun peaked over the horizon. When the Hot Shots arrived by 10:00 am, I was already packed up after about half a dozen loooooooong flights and ready for some socialoizing before heading home. Sure learned to fly fast.

Good luck!