There's no problem with learning to fly by yourself, but it is a stony path. You will need the right plane; and it ain't that Cessna. </p>

My advice (which I think has been given previously) is to find a glider or vintage type which is very slow and stable; so that it basically flies itself and your task will be no more than to guide it. Pick something that has no undercarriage, or at least make your first flights without undercarriage. Models without undercarriage are much more tolerant of landing insults. Start easy and make incremental improvements. If someone tells you to, "learn on this, 'cos it's difficult and afterwards you will be able to cope with anything".....leg it!</p>

You would come along more quickly with an instructor, though. But, that said, I have reservations. The problem is that there are plenty of duff instructors out there who will plant pernicious ideas in your developing pilot's brain. You takes pot luck as to whether you get one of these, or one of the good instructors. Don't just jump at the first offer of instruction. Ask around; seek opinions and make sure that you choose the instructor, rather than simply accept what you are given. </p>

And, to make sure that you stay on the straight-and-narrow, you must be prepared to do some studying. Get your head into some reliable texts which discuss flight theory...full-sized' texts; some of those which are written for modellers are a bit dodgy. And remember, you fly with your head, not your hands.</p>