I think most RC newbies will agree that an instructor is the best way to go. With that said, I will add that there are people out there that prefer to learn on their own. Even when they know there is a different way that can produce easier results.

I am an RC newbie that chose to learn on my own. I am a member of AMA and have a friendly club with an excellent flying field less than twenty minutes from me. I simply preferred to learn on my own. Did I bang up some airplanes ? Absolutely. In fact I am rebuilding a balsa wing kit right now while I am typing this and watching the race, that I ran into the ground a few weekends ago.

Maybe Eatmydust wanted to learn on his own also, or maybe he did not have an accessable instructor.

Bob