ORIGINAL: jester_s1

Balancing on fingertips is fine for the initial setup on a trainer. Just mark the spot where it should be on both wings, and get a helper to lend a finger to the effort. Just eyeball it level and you're good. I'll offer some experience on the topic of engine starting. The electric starter is arguably the best investment you'll ever make in the hobby. It will save you time messing with your engine that you can spend flying and it will save your props from damage by the chicken stick (I chipped enough trailing edges to pay for a starter when I was a beginner). You don't have to buy a new one. There are plenty on Ebay and the classifieds here and on RCGroups for $20 and less that will work just fine. I'm a fan of going wireless with a NiCd pack but if you already have a 12v battery to use then that's not necessary at this point.