Sims make me crazy in pretty short order, but I've seen younger guys advance very quickly in 3D that swear by them.

XA is about high energy maneuvers. Often (usually?) pretty violent maneuvers, making you wonder how/why the wings are still on the plane.

I enjoy the low and slow 3D maneuvers. It's easier for this old man to stay up with them. I find Harriers and slow KE flight pretty entertaining for instance. For low speed control practice, make sure you plane will slow right down into a nose high attitude when you back off on the power. Learn to control wing rock with the use of a ton of rudder to pick up that low wing rather than just opposite aileron input. Bring the plane in for a landing and at about 18", accelerate just slightly, and hold it at 18" off the runway the length of the field. When you get that down, do a rudder turn at the end of the runway while holding that 18" and bring it back the other way. Then try a figure 8 out in front of you. It's an easy exercise with the plane low and slow enough where the plane won't be entirely torn up if (when!) you screw up. -Al