Really don't give up it's the most amasing hobby once you get there and i@VE BEEN EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE, MY 1ST PLANE WHICH WAS A xMAS PRESENT LASTED all of 6 seconds before I totalled it, my second plane was a Supercub.
Defintely get yourself a simulator, I still only use the FMS one and now practice 3D on it but what it / the controller cost you you'll save at least 5x's the amount in damaged planes and use it for a week before trying the SuperCub again and even then you'll find it hard but not so hard.
Get someone to check over the surfaces and if there isn't anyone you can ask then at least at home make sure everything is "in line" when there's no input to the TX and that everything moves freely the and same distance in opposite directions.
If you can find a club though it is the best way but I'd still get a simulator anyway !!!!!!!