Steve -

Take a few minutes to look at this link also posted above and read through some of the posts found there:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377569

As you will see, the Blade CP is not intended for new heli pilots - this is one reason it uses wooden main blades for performance before durability. Unfortunately, the only models I know with plastic blades are indeed fixed pitch.

While the Blade CP is not intended for new heli pilots that does not mean it is impossible to learn to fly helis on. With the help of an experienced pilot, sim time, etc one could certainly learn to fly successfully with the Blade CP as it is quite durable, inexpensive to fix and will be easy to find parts for just about anywhere. If you do decide to pick up a BCP for your first heli, I would suggest (along with the help of an experienced pilot and/or lots of sim time) a set of training gear:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...rodID=EFLH1128

Crashing helis is always a reality when learning to fly whether you have a Shogun, BCP or Dragonfly. Sure, the Dargonfly may have the most durable main blades, but it also has far less room to grow with you as your skills progress (fixed pitch machines are easy to outgrow very quickly). Then again a Shogun costs 2-3 times more, and it may also cost 2-3 times more to fix after a crash. The BCP is a machine that offers a lot of features for the price with the ability to grow with you as you progress, all they way through basic aerobatics and inverted flying. With crash kits available for less than $20 (including a set of main rotor blades, tail rotor blade, flybar and skid set), it is also one of the easiest and most inexpensive helis to repair after a crash:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...rodID=EFLH1169

Good luck in any choice of heli you may make!