Sorry, but I tend to agree with jetmech. I can safely say I did not crash and destroy a plane when I was learning to fly with an instructor. That same instructor is now my mentor/coach. I've learned so much from him that I would not have on my own. Now, that's not to say I haven't crashed. I have crashed when mechanical issues arise, or control of the plane is lost, or from pushing the limits in aerobatic flight. But I have never "planned" on crashing and destroying a plane to learn something new because I was too stubborn/proud/etc to ask for help.

Please don't take offense to this, as I really do wish you the best and hope you succeed. The more the merrier in this hobby! However, please don't generalize others.

Good luck, you've received a lot of good advice here! [8D]

PS: Dont forget to take pictures of the plane before its first flight, just in case something happens!