im new to this heli thing too. ive had my axe since mar 16th. im already flying waste high with a little caution off course. yes i broke more parts hopping around the floor than being 4 feet up out of the downwash. I have ample parts in my personal stock now in case of a crash. ive crashed 3 times now and learned my lesson. the only things ive done to my bird are as follows:

1). bcp paddles
2). 1/16th wheel collars at the paddles.
3). carbon fibre arrow shaft for tail boom $6.00 at archery shop.
4). bcp tail blades and rotor gear
5). cut heat sink to expose cooling holes on motor.
6). hs-55 servos
7). tweaked tr trim pot (holds good all tx trims centered.)
8). bought 3 extra stock batterys and a charger.
9). extra replacement stock tail motor (free).
10). factory spindle u/g with hex head screws (hmxe7814).
11). cut rounded tips off main blades straight across (better gyroscopic stability) i find anyways...works for me..more head speed no vibration at half throttle and less mass in rotation.

You know this heli wasnt designed in my opinion to go all out and mod it to the max. the little mods ive done and added as suggested online work for me and i dont find any other reason to go further with it. my next heli will be the prize purchase for me. this is a begginner heli and should remain as such. its plastic for gods sake and cost $200 what more do you want. i like it and fly everyday and its just darn good fun if your not after tearing up the sky and want to fly a heli circuits and have some scale flying. works for me thus far. just my opinion. i dont understand this facination with more power and speed on a plastic heli. i dont get it. more chance to really demo it big time and have to buy another kit cause the old one is unfixable etc. just me.