Not sure what your "decent background in flight" consists of, but if it isn't in RC planes, it won't substitute for help from an instructor. Flight sims, computer or otherwise and even full-scale cockpit time do not an RC pilot make.
The plane is likely a good choice, if there is someone at your local club who has the ability to "buddy-box" your particular radio.
Otherwise, if you insist on trying to fly alone, there is about a 95% chance that you will crash. Your money, your time, your choice.