Flight Simulators help tremendously, most basic one is FREE, and worth the $25 investment for the control box is minimum investment.
Especially helped on the tricky Helis as well as the orientation issues. Are much better ones out there but this one will get you started and save headaches on losing the models on maidens.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXSJR9&P=ML

You can run the FMS with the keyboard, but is important to match the real thing, so get the box !