I'm not too sure how much value there is to the 'training mode', at least on the AXE CP. 1) the 'heli tech' guy at the GreatPlanes/Heli-Max/ElectriFly customer service/tech help e-mail desk (Rich, I thing) wasn't real helpfull and did ot seem to know what I was talking about when I asked him some questions about it and the transmitter (maybe they think it is a secret and did not want to divulge any information....) 2) as I understand it, you hook up someone else's transmitter to the Axe CP via this port and flip the train switch up to let them fly, and when you see them get into trouble, you release the switch to take over and recover, makes you the teacher. 3) I question this value because the few instructors which I have talked to start you out on their bird with a buddy box (I assume so they are comfortable taking over).

Most people who have Blade CP's swear by them and wouldn't say they would fly anything else, for a while. Pretty much same goes for Axe CP owners. Axe prices are higher on most parts, but it isn't that bad, and as mcflurry said, there are alternatives.

That said, I started off looking at Walkeras, was admonished as to how that was the worst mistake that I could ever make. Found a guy who has one, hates it. You need to know how to do a mechanical setup on the links, nothing is set right from the factory and if you don't understand helicopter controll surfaces, you are without hope. The electronice are supposed to be worse than what comes out of a goose. In all fairness, they say that they have revamped thier electronics, but they do offer some of the CHEAPEST rtf's with options like metal parts. Key in on the word CHEAPEST.

I got talked into an Axe, tried to fly it, learned to crash a lot. got scared, tried a sim, hated it (I'm an old codger and don't care much for video games, just couldn't wrap myself around the sim), bought a used Blade, already setup, flys like a dream, steady as you can get, I smashed it up worse every time I had an 'unplanned landing' or rendevous with another object. The same events with the Axe never took out anything worse than the blades or blade grips. The Blade is a useless pile of bent and broken parts, the Axe is still taking abuse. Give me an AXE anytime.

That's just my opinion. what is working for me is the Axe. I've put in a Heading Hold gyro (a MUST for the tangle thumb impaired like me) and plan to replace the rest of the 3-in-1 borad with a stand alone ECS/BEC for the main motor (sounds sexy huh? you'll learn what that really means, the more you study up on electric helis). Again, thats just me. The next guy you talk to may bend your ear about how the Blade is the most wonderful thing on earth. You might even find someone who will say Walkera is the way to go.

As for the fixed pitch and coax. I couldn't fly a FP either, so went with a real helicopter (Collective Pitch). I can at least hover now. Coax is just as much a helicopter as a CP, no matter what anybody else says (again, just my opinion). Some different principles of flight physics, but still a heli. It will help you learn 'nose-in' versus 'tail-in' and what goes up must come down, and how to makit come down survivably. IT WILL NOT HELP YOU LEARN HOW TO FLY A COLLECTIVE PITCH BIRD RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. You'll have to learn the differences and how to compensate for them. You Will eventually want to go CP, We have you now and you cannot escape.

Get a bird and jump in. You will love it.