If you are still reading these I will add a few more.  I always had trouble with .40 size planes because they use up the whole field for landing approaches and the trees seemed to always be too close.  The powered gliders were always my standby as well as .15 sized planes. The gliders give time to correct wrong inputs and smaller planes are tougher when they hit and tumble.  SPAD (simple plastic airplane design) planes are cheap and build quickly and come in many good designs now.  They are only slightly heavier than 'real' models and take a beating.  It keeps the cost down at least, if you take a few hits.  Oh, practice touch and goes or at least low approaches and low circles.  I am still doing this, especially on new planes.  I still like Control Line better though for low circles.