If you are a first time flyer joining a club is one suggestion, but if there isn't one near you then the next best thing to do is buy a flight simulator like fsone or greatplanes g3.5.
Both are good, leaning towards fsone, but if you can't afford it or don't want to spend alot of money them FMS is free on the internet. It is pretty good and i will help you alot.
I am not saying that you won't crash but it will sure help enough to get a few good landings in.

As for the tape on the foam....Well i doesn't work. The palne will break if you crash regardles of tape or no tape. The cessna is a good plane but the wing does tear off if you crash it, and it doesn't take much to braek it off. Just carry alot of epoxy or ca foam glue with you...you will need it.