I self taught myself how to crash twice. Then I got smart and join a club.
Ding dong...I flew my instructor's trainer for a couple of weekends without a cord but he was standing next to me.
My club also have a designated trainer too, for noobies.

Plus I didn't have an electric started and other tools to set up my model correctly, to start off with.
Plus they gave me alot of hints of do's and don'ts. Plus almost everyone were willing to help me.
Plus I saw a lot of diffent models at the club up close and go into discussion of building tech or repairs.

Plus my instructor has a fleet, fleet. He bascially sold me models at give away prices.
Ace-40 and OS.40 =$50
.40 supersporster=$25
.40 ulitmate=$50
.60 pitt with .60 webra plus muffuler=$100
.30 Shuttle heli = $150
.60 300 extra with .90 4 stroke=$150
and on and on....