RE: Beginner??? Probably!
Good luck Kennel - I truly hope all goes well. I do however have to agree with the others - at the least get a simulator, just to get the controls down (especially when the plane is coming towards you). If your son is an rc pilot - then get a buddy cable and hook it up - it's worth it just as a precautionary method.
Well, good luck once again and perhaps it will end up being a brilliant day.