Simulators and heading hold gyros were myths when I started too. Had an American RC Revolution with a Enya 40, never got it more than 6" off the ground, that was late 70s. In the late 80s I bought a concept 30 with an old mechanical gyro and was buzzing around and doing stall turns in a day or two. I wish I had the internet and a sim, back then it was wait for the next issue of your favorite mag to come out and read the one helicopter article it might have to get info.