An old term I once heard: "If ya' ain't crashin', ya' ain't learnin'" so you had better prepare for a crash every once and a while. Even the professional pilots will have a crash every now and then. It's something that really can't be avoided.

I do suggest getting a small balsa profile, my first one, the Cermark Lil' Banchee, was my first 3D. I did have the rates toned down quite a bit for my first ten or so flights, then I slowly made them more sensitive to my tastes. All of my 3D models will have at least 30º+ of controll throw in them now, for ALL of the surfaces.

The lil banchee did quite well in the wins, and made my first electric plane. I did have previous stick time on a 3D model, so it wasn't too big of a deal.

Something with a high wing, and ailerons is better for you though, like the Mini Mag. This version: http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240157.asp comes with a four channel radio, so adding ailerons will be as easy as cutting them out, and adding another servo in the wing. This will give you much needed stick time to prepare you for a 3D plane.