Help me im going to convert to 3-d from a trainer. ive only soloed 3 times and that was a year ago. Lets wish for the best! Any great tips for what i should try first to build confidence.

Start with general flying first to gain confidence in that and ensure you can do it.

Once you have done that, start practising simple aerobatics (rolls, loops, inverted)

Then move on to more advanced aerobatics (stall turns, spings, cuban 8s etc)

Then try 3D.

The works "trying to run before you can walk" spring to mind.

You can start aerobatics with your trainer before splashing out on a 3D plane

i agree, fly your trainer for a while and get the feel for flying again. most trainers will do simple(and advance, mine did knife edge!) aerobatics. When you get the feel, buy a 3D plane, have very tame movments,and maby restrict the throttle a bit. most 3D planes will climb vertical on 1/2 power. Its definatly not worth buying a smaller engine for it, you'll want more and more power when you get more experienced.

Ian