The BEST thing you can do is find someone near you that flys. Even if you have to drive an hour or two to go over your heli, make sure its setup properly and give you some basic lessons. I don't remember where Easton is but there's a club in Baltomore thats pretty active and some others. The money you spend on gas and lunch will be far less than tearing it up a couple times till you get the hang of it.

Start here http://www.pilotlocator.net and I'll find the Baltomore Boyz web site and post it for you as well.