THe CP thing isn't really that big of a deal in learning. As you increase throttle, pitch (collective) is automatically increased. If you bought a decent heli, like a blade, when the head speed and pitch are high enough, it will lift off smoothly. While its true (I'm trying to view this as someone who's never actually flown a heli) the CP heli will be more responsive when trying to adjust altitude, the head speed will stay pretty constant. And because its (headspeed) higher, the tail will work/hold better too. When you fly a fixed pitch heli you end up chasing the left stick. THese CPs are set up very mild in normal mode from the manufacturer. So, while the response is faster, just like increasing throws on your airplanes, its actually smoother and more consistent. Having said that, don't buy a cp heli and expect to fly it in your living room first time out. Its very difficult to learn to keep the heli in one place while hovering. When you see guys learning at the field, they have their training gear on and drift around, getting used to the controls and little by little gaining skill and confidence in holding the heli in one place. HEAR THIS: its way different when you're flying a real heli that can break and ground you for a time. This is made much worse by having something to hit just a few feet away.

So my rec is to get a CP heli like a blade pro, use training gear and learn in a gym or back yard, someplace where the pressure will be off. Next point: I've been flying fixed wing for 30 years, and flying "nitro" helis for probably 4 years. So this winter I wanted to get a little heli to join my friends who do that during the winter. I got a lesser brand and had tons of problems. THe heli would jump off the ground when it was ready to fly, not lift smoothly. The cyclic (ele ail) was really dead around center and would then respond abruptly when the right input was reached. THis made for a jerky,. scary flying experience. Plus the thing was really delicate and would break often. Its still sitting in my basement. I gave up on it, viewing the cost as a total loss. So then, after a crash and the day before another local indoor fly, I went to the LHS and got a Blade CP pro. No problems. Very easy to fly, very smooth, very consistent. Now, does the tail feel like my Raptor 50/GY401? not even close! But for what it is, This machine is a very reasonable package.

You asked for thoughts. I didn't mean for this to be a testimonial, but I had a very frustrating time a few weeks ago. And now I'm having fun. Crashing is part of it. But at least with a quality heli you're dealing with something that's worth your time.

Best of luck,
Dave