RE: How long was it before you crashed for the first time?
Not sure how serious of a crash you are looking for. My Avistar Trainer took a lot of damage through my training period last summer and kept on flying with minor repairs. It still flies today, in fact it is in the car and I plan to go to the field right after work to fly. We are getting ready to host a Boy Scout troop at our field this weekend and have 5 trainers and buddy boxes available so they get a chance to see what it is like.
If you are looking for my first full crash with pieces to pick up and rebuilding the only solution, I put in my Ultra Stick 60 on Memorial Day, about 1 year after I started. I was doing Aeleron Rolls and came out upside down. Well my thumb knew what to do so I pushed the elevator stick forward (which would have saved me), but my brain took over and pulled it back. If only my brain had better sense than my thumb I wouldn't be putting another one together like I am now.