When I started flying I was encouraged to get an instructor. Back then it was hand over the box. Then came the buddy cord (thank God).
Hands on instruction has, without a doubt, saved many an airplane and kept many a pilot in the hobby.
Most clubs have an instructor for basic flying.
Is 3D mostly learned from trial and error? Or are there sites to learn 3D?
Is a flight Sim recommended? What kind of plane is most suited for 3D?

Tom

There is an excellent article about just this topic written by Jeremy Chinn.
http://www.chinnaero.com/howtos.html

A sim helps some as does reading the correct inputs to use. However, the most important thing IMHO is the plane. So many guys(me included) learned or tried to learn on a plane that was just so so at 3d. In my case a Funtana 40. I did learn a lot but the learning curve was long. I then built a SPAD3D and then got a profile. I should have done both of those 2 years before I did. I was resistant to profiles because of how they looked. After I got one I could care less how it looks. Giving the correct inputs means nothing if the plane does not react right.
The SPAD3D taught my left thumb what the left stick is for and the profile took over from there.

David

[size=3]I would also highly recommend a profile. About the best place to start if you can build is [link=http://www.swanyshouse.com/mojo60/mojo60.aspx]a MoJo60[/link] with a Saito 100.
There is not a plane made that has a better power/weight ratio that gives you the time to react than this.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pKU1LFvlMM[/youtube]

If you must ARF it, the [link=http://www.ohiomodelplanes.com/47proyakarf/index.htm]OMP ProYak[/link], or the [link=http://www.tufflight.com/whats_new.html]TuffYak[/link] are both quite capable.

forties and foamies!!


lol



fly with people who will push you to take risks!!

The best way in my opinion is to figure it out on your own. I was taught to fly by one of the fathers of 3D flying (Tony Ayers) He will tell me the basics and tell me to figure out the rest on my own. I belive that this helps alot. Knolage is gained through experence not being told. Do what feels right and push the edge.