Synister, though no excpert, I thought that was a nice right up and a good link for info.
I've had that eqation for some time now, MAHxC/1000=A and recently picked this up, thanks to another member, AxV=W, as you know is relative to fluctuating draw and voltage.

As for a simplified answer to bat.s that provide sufficient proformance for sport flying, I've been using DN's 15C 2150mah bat.s, and find they provide plenty of power and where all well matched cells. My only concern is the heat they produce and am considering Sonix's 18C 2100 bat.s @ $34. I've been running a 430L 3550KV and 35X with 65s and 401/9650, draw 11-13A cont. and 19-21A average. http://www.cnchelicopter.com/servlet...er-Trex/Detail
I'm setting up another heli with said 500TH, I've read at Helifreak the 500TH proformed well on 15C with out damaging the bat.s, and feel that my flying and ability will be well served with my current 15C bat.s and trying the 18C will be safer for more agressive flying later.
Running the 500TH set up through the darkhorse ringer yeilds relatively equall flight times to the 430L on 12T and the 500TH on 13T, http://dhrc.rchomepage.com/calc.htm