Bryan......Point of reference has alot to do with flying a model plane ...but little to do with the aerodynamic forces at work.....Being a pilot as well just by having some feedback( say altitude-airspeed -vertical speed) from a model in flt would make flying the much easier from the standpoint of what a pilot knows already.........flying a model is more focused towards depth perception, reference to the ground(no horizon to use) and that sort of stuff......basic aerodynamics apply the same for models as they do for full scale planes( Helis).........there are some differences for scaling down in Reynolds numbers/boundary layer airflow which someone like Bruce ,Bill, Ben or B-T-B are more knowledgable than I am.......for example the Aerobatic flyers (IMAC and the like) fly all the same manuevers(and then some) just like their full scale counterparts and have to maintain manuevers in the "BOX" with any number of wind conditions......but just like full scale ....theres a learning curve to figuring out how all the pieces of the aerodynamic/perception puzzle fit together........have fun and good luck.....Bill....