I learned on a 60 sized H9 Ultra Stick. It was a great trainer with the delfections set low. Then I learned more advanced maneuvres with it. I still have the plane and still love it. Many people do not like the Sticks because "they look funny."
The Stick was designed to be a good all-around RC plane. And that's exactly what it is. There is a reason a design from (before?) the 70's is still flown quite often.

The flaps are not necessary for landing, but are still very cool. Putting mine into butterfly blows my mind every time. Also, by mixing the flaps to act as full-span ailerons when not being used as flaps, you get bigger ailerons than the "stock" full-span.

Keep her light and she'll be amazing. Heck, mine's heavy and is still amazing!

Make it a little nose heavy and it'll settle itself in the air.

There are probably build threads for the 40 size here on RCU, just do a search. For the 60 size I moved all of the tail servos to the tail and balanced the plane by making a battery bracket to get the desired CG (aka no lead weights)

Take care, and good luck with the decision!
Jim