RE: Good second plane for 3D
I think a profile makes a good second plane for a lot of people. With the throws turned down most are easy to fly and have great slow flight characteristics. As you get more comfortable you can increase the throws on your control surfaces. Another plus for the profiles is they are more durable than many "fat" planes. Take a look at the Fun Fly & Profile forum here at RCU and you will get an idea of which profiles are popular.
Eric