I`m self taught.
When I first started last Dec. , I tried to hook up with a local club, went to 2 meetings , made phone calls, e-mails and got nowhere for 3 months. So I taught myself.
I did join another club , Was invited by another RCU member. great group of people with some of the best instructors around. And it would have been great to hook up with them from the start.
If you can hook up with an instructor , I would do it, as it will put you that much farther ahead of the game. Just learning nitro engine for the first time can drive a guy nuts. But if your like me , your going to teach yourself to fly and nothing is going to stop you. lol.
If your going to teach yourself I recommend that you build an LT40 {RCKens follow build thread} as this well help you with the upcoming repairs and the LT40 is probably the best all around trainer out there. Use a 11x5 Master Airscrew prop. as they hold up well to ground strikes and help slow the plane down on landings.
Another thing to consider, after you take off , you still have to trim the plane, which can be a handful the first time you do it. Practice trimming on the Sim so you don`t need to look down to find the clicks. Also pratice deadsticks and crosswind landings. The Sim is not the same as the real thing , but it is a good tool .
For landings, since you have a large open area , make sure you can land into the wind , no matter which direction the wind is blowing., and give yourself plenty of room , as a trainer can float for ever.
The biggest advantage for me joining a club , was the friends I`ve made and they got all kinds of cool flying machines.lol Take a weekend day and drive over to your closest club, look at a few planes , talk to the guys, watch a little flying. I`m willing to bet , you`ll be glad you did.
Anyhow, keep us posted and good luck.