I learned (basic) 3D stuff with foamies. I crashed many times and had CA and accelerator at hand and fixed the plane right there within 3 minutes and kept flying. Once I got the hang of harriers and hovers and waterfalls, I then practiced with a 3D electric in the 480 motor size category (wood built up, not a profile). Now I feel I'm ready to do 3D with a nitro plane (I received the OMP Edge 540 v3 .40 size, but I have to wait for 12/24 to start putting it together for some certain holiday reasons, but that's a different story).

The reason why I recommend to learn 3D with electrics is that you don't have to worry about engine tuning/quitting and stuff like that. Electrics are much less troublesome and straight forward.

That worked for me really well and may not be interesting to you, but I just wanted to mention it.

I can't wait to start with 3D on the OMP Edge 540 .40 with my OS .55AX!!!!!!!!!!!!