If you are in the Broome County area I can recommend the AGS Club. They have a student pilot school and will have instructors ready on the days the class/group meets at the field. The man who trained me was one of the most cantankerous and gruff people I know. And he was always there, always got me set-up and running, always made sure I knew the maneuver and could perform it in varying wind conditions and directions. Not what some would call a "good teacher", but he made sure I was taught and I appreciate his efforts in getting me airborn. Other students avoided him but I saw it as a challenge and I like challenges. Oh, he's also an international competator in FAI and IMAC. I can't imagine what his time was worth if he were to go pro as an instructor.

The AEROs that I belong to in Chenango Bridge are less formal and have no "official" flight school, so you should introduce yourself at a meeting and ask for help ahead of time. Not just appear at the field when guys are eager to fly their own planes after shuffling their schedules to do so. But we do require an interest in 1/4 scale and IMAA membership. Someone who has the time and initiative will likely volunteer to help you. Not a bad deal getting free help from someone who would normally charge $30 to $75 for an hour of his precious free time, or even more seeing as this would be time-and-a-half overtime.