Chris,
Welcome to RCU, and the great addiction that we call RC!!
I do understand about being nervous about flying the plane you build, but if you learn with an instructor your chances are pretty good that nothing will happen to your plane. That's what the instructor is for. But you will probably find that the Seniorita is a much better flying plane than the Spad will be, which will actually make it easier for you to learn on.
Ken