I too am a newb to RC flying and i have the J-3 by parkzone and have a had a big nasty crash on the first flight. Luckily the parts are cheap. I still have trouble keeping it up in the air and i feel just as discouraged. Once u master it though things get better. I just completed my first loop a few days ago. I dont have much time for flying by school but i wish i did. If i did i would already be flying a four channel. What really helped me was learning to deal with wind using the firebird outlaw which is no longer being produced. A similar plane is the Firebird Scout for 50$ RTF its a start to the basics.

-Good Luck and keep it up
(you will need the luck)