Originally Posted by djpathfinder

Wait till you go into a 400 size heli and then a 600. I started with an Air Hogs Helix, then TRex 450, Trex 600, Blade MCX, and Trex 250. Would love to get a Mini-Joker 2 and dabble in aerial photography.

You're right, a simulator as a beginner is a huge tool to help you understand orientations and control. It's hard to resist "pissing around" with the sim, but if you want to get really good, use it like you're flying a real RC heli and avoid things that you would not do in real life. I spent a good 12 hours on the sim before even hovering my Trex 450 for the first time. Realize though that the flight sim gives you a perfectly set up heli and perfect flight conditions, so in a way unrealistic compared to flying for real (you'll see this eventually), but nevertheless a good tool to learn a new maneuver.

One day you may want to get into CCPM helis (main and tail rotors). They are more unstable than co-axial helis (2 main rotors), but very fun. The larger the heli, the more stable it is. Eventually, you may want to fly outdoors, and you'll want to jump in to a 0.50 (600 size) or larger heli. I quickly got myself a Trex 600 electric as well. I've stuck with electrics b/c I can't be bothered carrying and maintaining a nitro heli. I'm interested in scale flying and not interested in 3D at all. I bought an Airwolf fuselage for my Trex 600 but haven't had a chance to build it yet. Helis are a lot of fun, very addictive and a huge money pit of a hobby! Funny enough, I've curtailed my RC heli habit in exchange for buying my 370Z and all the mods. Anyways, enjoy...