I have flown this plane and I like it a lot as a first plane.

Check the elevator hinge. It is weak. Use some clear packing tape to bridge the gap. It will reinforce the hinge.

I fine the beginner setting works well.

Of course you must be flying in calm air if you are trying to learn on your own. Otherwise you are fighting the wind, not flying the plane.

Wings are cheap. Get a new wing. Save the broken one. Search for a thread on repairing Aerobird wings by myself, aeajr. Same type of wing, so same methods will work.

Plane flies quite nicely at 1/2 throttle. I flew it in 12 mph wind with the motor off in a full glide. Flew fine, but I would NOT recommend a new flyer try this. Calm to 5 mph max for a new flyer.

Also search on a thread called 6 keys to success. Those tips will help you a lot.