If you're just gonna be learning to hover you don't really need to worry about having the needles set for the abolute maximum performance. I would recommend setting the needles to the factory settings, start the engine and adjust the low needle to get a reliable idle, leave the high needle at the factory setting and start flying. When you run the engine up enough to start hovering, take note of the amount of smoke you're getting. If you're not getting a fairly heavy smoke trail (or the engine sounds rough), richen the high needle a click or two at a time until you are. When you are capable of doing a full power climb out, you're probably ready to try and squeeze more performance out of your engine. There really is no reason to run the engine in with a propeller, or investing in headloaders (which I've never personally used nor would I).

I usually start my heli's in Throttle Hold, but I have a tendency to bump things. Until you have the throttle linkage travel and idle needle adjusted you may need to be able to operate the throttle to get it started. Just be careful when you start it the first few times, making sure that you're throttle servo is working the correct direction and you have your radio set to the correct model (I've hot started my ST a few times because I was on the wrong model).

Ben