pmennen

I'm a fixed wing pilot. I fly a full size Cessna 185 as well as rc. (I started with a moth, and recently built a Mini-IFO and flying with a cheap non-programmable transmitter). I realize those skills may not help me in the helicopter world, but I'm game to learn. I'm interested in rc helicopters for their own sake, yet my ultimate goal may be to fly the real contraptions. So I'm wondering where to start? I assume the answer will be a simulator. Given my goals, will Real Flight or Phoenix be better? And how about for my first helicopter. Would something like an msr or msrX be appropriate? (I've read that you should start with something easier first - perhaps a mCX2?). I see that the msr and msrX are gyro stabilized. I assume that is necessary for such a small craft? But real helicopters are not gyro stabilized (I believe) so I'm wondering if the skills I learn to fly the rc models will transfer over to the full size helicopters? Are there better rc choices given my personal goals?

Thanks for any advice you may offer.

~Paul