I had a PRIEST intentionally attempt to fly through my plane whilst I was hovering. He missed, because he just could'nt fly that well....and his plane was 4 times as large as mine.

To fly 3D, you must practice as much as your lifestyle allows. You must follow all club rules, DESPITE the fact that the old warbird guys are immune from rules against flying over the pits, unsafe practices, rights of way, frequency posting, general behavior and pretty much any other rule ever imposed by a board consisting of those who have both the time and the desire to serve on A BOARD which subjugates the interests of their so-called friends. These same people often serve on HOA boards and generally show little in the way of meaningful contributions to society.

By the way... In answer to your questions. If the engine dies while you are performing a stalled maneuver, you're screwed. There is no way around that.

The best ways to learn 3D faster are: PRACTICE, FOAM, SIM, PRACTICE, and......MORE OF THE AFORE-MENTIONED ITEMS in the specified order.

Don't look for help at your field unless there are some 3D guys on 'the board'.

Search for teamflyingcirkus.com. Every time I post a link here it is 'accidentally' deleted. 3D is just not popular with the nearly-deads who run the hobby....for now.

Get used to the sad, angry, bitter rejection you face from the nearly-deads at your field(s). Fly anyway, and in spite of them. Never break any of their rules and ALWAYS be polite, courteous and willing to call an ambulance when yet another idiot allows his 'museum-quality' 1920 P.O.S. to take a chunk from his leg.

Enjoy, but follow the rules.