You can do a search of the members list to see if any one here is near you, i've also poasted a link at www.spadtothebone.com forum as we ave some sth africans there whomay be able to help.

now your Q's

1 yep up the front, behind the firewall, then battery then reciever, wrap/pack everything in foam.

2 see above

3 find an istructor, considering you havent flown before, get it in the air then down in 1 piece, if you can do that on your first flight youve done well

4 basicaly LOS up to about 5k's (theoreticly) any way you will have control loooooong after you cant see it

as for pre flights, CHECK CG WITH NO FUEL, check batteries, check control movements, fuel, range check (about 30 paces with transmiter aeriel down) exted ariels.


good luck