I taught myself to fly with a hobbyzone super cub, its still flying today, my kids are learning on it now, yes I had to buy a few parts but they were still cheaper than driving 200 miles to fly at a club. Then I got a nexstar, I flew it many times then got disoriented and put it in wide open and nose first..............the end for the star, I moved on to a 50 size j-3 cub, then a 60 size bipe and lately been flying a 40 size super decathlon, I still enjoy flying all the above mentioned planes. Yes some have been landed a bit hard, broken wings and such, but those help you learn how to repair, what works and what doesnt. SO in conclusion My flight training cost me a 400 plane, Part of which I still use ( engine and servos) and some foam parts for my super cub, In the end I am money ahead and get alot more time flying instead of driving. You can do it, just be SAFE! if you cant fly out in the middle of nowhere then DONTFLY!