Big Al, I agree with those guys you're flying with.

The point of flying RC airplanes is flying with confidence and joy. Like many have said, it's practice and motivation. And if you're motivated, you push yourself. And you'll crash too

Your CG Extra will wait for you until you're ready. That may be this season or it may be ten years. But it will wait for you so have fun building it. And by the sound of it you'll have it built in a couple of weeks!