Best tool I ever used was a SPAD3D. It will teach your left thumb what to do. It is such an ugly turd it wont just fly around in a pattern. You have to constantly use all 4 inputs to keep it in the air. I built one for $40 and put a junk .45 glow on it with the worst servos I had laying around and gave it hell. The thing is you rarely land it. You bang it in, change the prop and go again. 12x4 props work well as you don't want speed, just thrust.
BTW QuiQue calls 3D " flying beyond the stall". Pretty good description if you think about it.

David