Good questions.

The performance of an airplane depends upon a large number of factors that newer RC pilots will not be aware of.

Let's start with the wing as this is the heart of any airplane. A constant chord wing gives the new pilot the best chance of returning home with his airplane. This is due to it's stall characteristics which are the most gentle and predictable when slowed down or loaded in turns.
More advanced acrobatic airplanes will have tapered wings that allow them to stall easier (which is what a snap roll or spin needs) and can cause problems for low time pilots on landing approaches during turns onto final when the airplane is close to stall. Stay away from tapered wings until you have two or three constant chord airplanes and a few hundred flights under your belt.

The next factor is wing loading, which is the number of ounces the wing is carrying per square foot of wing area. In 40 sized airplanes, loadings from 16 to 22 oz/sq ft is good. Higher loadings require more speed for take-off and landings, and will stall quicker in turns.

Now just because you have a easy constant chord wing with a light wing loading airplane, it doesn't mean that it will just fly around easy circles. The next factor is the CG balance. Trainers are set up with a forward balance to enhance stability and recovery. It also makes the airplane more speed sensitive - you know how trainers climb with power, but fly level at half throttle? This is due to being nose heavy. But once you can fly, it becomes annoying. Then it is time to start moving the balance point back. This makes the elevator more sensitive and it also allows you to fly slower which also makes the rudder more powerful. This allows a tame constant chord wing design to become almost as maneuverable as a tapered wing, with less opportunity to bite you in the backside.

No matter where you go in RC, you need to build up to the type of airplane. Giant scale models operate differently than 40 sized models, and break easier in bad landings or excessive air loads. Heavy scale models with high wing loadings need more awareness of airspeed on takeoff and landings. The point is, that you need to work you way up to the type of airplane you want to fly.