gpd4:

gcb gave you lots of excellent information. I will stress one of his points and that is to get some help, just like starting RC, until you get some experience with CL.

Back in the 1969-72 time when I was still active in CL Stunt, I used one of those MW ME 109s to test engines, break-in and for general fun flying. It is a good airplane and can fly a stunt pattern well. OTOH it has all the abilities to get the new CL flier in trouble.
In CL, one of the most quick ways to lose a model is to lose line tension -- slack lines. This can happen especially when flying into the wind and in high maneuvering. In CL you need to TO with at least a quarteing tailwind, not directly into the wind. When the engine cuts, start your deadstick approach and keep some good airspeed until low so as to land on the downwind side. A "balloon" into the wind and the inside wing drops and all you can do is run backwards trying to maintain tension. Have plenty room and NEVER fly anywhere close to overhead electrical wires. [X(]
If you get a chance watch a CL flier doing maneuvers. Watch his arm movements and you will see his arm adjusting for small devistions of the line tension. It's a different world from RC but one you will enjoy very much, I GAR-RUN-TEE IT!