You've got time and the industry/technology will change before you're ready for a "decent" 3-D plane.  That should be your third or even forth plane.  A good 3-D plane needs the empennage to be about half control surface and the wing about 1/3 so.  That will bite you so hard your head will spin as a beginner.  You have to give just the tinyest control inputs for "routine" flight; and beginners tend to over-react and throw the sticks around hard. 

A good 3-D plane may allow you to shed the wings at full throttle in level flight - especially if there is flutter in the ailerons.  I don't believe even Real Flight 6 allows you to solve flutter issues as a practice drill.

Soooo.  You'll want to talk to Alex and have him explain dual (or triple) rates.  As your thumbs become educated you can get by with exponential rates instead (at least I do). 

Take a look at the Twist 40.  That will do about anything and won't break the bank.  Or your heart. 

I was at the Rally of Giants last weekend and 1/3 scale Yak (I think) just barely kissed the ground with his tail.  30 seconds later it was in a hundred pieces - the elevator gave out after he had climbed to 150 feet and it did a ballistic faceplant.  Good 3-D models don't take abuse well.