RE: easiest way to get into 3d flying
+1 on the foamie and Sim.
For a foamie, I'm not going to link to our "competitors" lol, but I will tell you that one of the best 3D flying and most durable foamies money can buy right now is LeadFeather's 3d EPP Yak 55 on RCGroups. I've ordered and equipped 3 of them for under $200. They will last several hundred flights worth of hard 3D and crashes, and can be flown indoor or out @6oz RTF @ 32" WS. Google 3D EPP Yak 55 for info. My stuff should be in today or tomorrow!!! Yes I know 3D, but I need to work on my rolling harriers for my new giant scale plane first! Plus it allows me to fly indoors for winter. I don't think much will beat this, but there are a lot of foamies out there. My 2nd choice would probably be the "nasty", just google it as well.