I've seen people do it. Come out and fly with no prior experience but sim time. But the odds are very much against you. I have no real stats to base this on, but I would guess that less than 15% are successful attempting this approach.

And most people need help setting up their plane correctly. There are a few things to know about mounting radios and fuel tanks. There is a little black magic involved in getting glow engines to run correctly as well. In short , there are dozens of little tricks to learn about your airplane. Some pertain to flying, some don't.

Having a real live human tour guide to help you ease into the hobby can make life much, much easier . And they can make your success and enjoyment of this hobby a given rather than an unlikely outcome.

We are everywhere. I'll bet there is an RC pilot nearby that would help. Contact the nearest hobby shop to locate the nearest club. Or go to the AMA website or ask for assistance here on RCU. Someone is close enough to assist you.