Del:
As CAP and others posted, a high wing trainer like the Hangar 9 Alpha, or Nexstar is ideal for learning RC...
Also, I will reiterate, join the AMA! do this for several reasons
A. Insurance (these beasts can and do damage people and property RARELY but it can happen)
B. Most clubs require an AMA membership (more on that below)
C. A pretty decent magazine for RC enthusiats.. Model Aviation. Included with your AMA membership
As to clubs, joining a club and hooking up with an instructor will save you a lot of money and frustration. Most clubs offer free instruction, and 99% of the time you will get through your entire training without a major crash/incident. The same cannot be said for trying to learn solo.
The instructor has a radio, so do you... the instructor holds down a switch allowing you control. if you have trouble all he has to do is release that switch, and he takes control of the airplane. Cannot count the number of times I have saved a students plane that I gurantee without an instructor would have become a bag full of parts... This is called a buddy-box system, and most clubs have the equipment needed for this.
If you have any other questions Del, ill be glad to help you out... and once you get proficient ill be glad to help ya with a 38 model. I am jsut finishing up a 100" Yellow Aircraft '38J.
Sol