Forget the $18 blades. I use these blades, they cost less than $8 and work as well or better than the stock e-flight blades. They are the Esky 4-000 blades. Maybe these were mentioned earlier.

http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id...2&pid=NESKV020

My BCPP flys great upright or inverted with them.

Don't be too quick to throw blades out. If the covering gets damaged just tape it back on. If you get a minor crack use some CA on the wood and some tape to re-cover them. I can usually get one or two repairs in before trashing them.

Use a sim to practice.

Order a spare tail motor which is on the same page, about half the price of the E-flight and works great for me.