I agree with the comments about first joining a club, but also realise that this is not always an option.
For the past few months I have been flying a Unicorn flying wing made from Epp foam with carbon fibre reinforcing spars and stock powered by a 400 motor.
With the control throws set down its a ----- cat with increased throws it gets interesting. More to the point for a beginner pilot it will take an incredible amount of punishment.
I am using a plantraco rx and had radio failure,( loose chrystal, now soldered and end of problem) the wing dove in full throttle from about 60 feet, result, slight damage and flying again the following day. checkout the site.
www.unicornwings.net
I now use a A/C micro brushless motor wound 3 strand 28g 11 turns, my first attempt at winding, 13500rpm static with a 9x4 prop and a Kokam 1500 3cell lipoly battery. a normal mixed flight is about 35 to45 mins.
I love this wing and have lots of hours flying with it.
best of luck
Honker