thanks, I suspected that I probably wouldnt find something thats both "cheap" and "durable" and can still fly, otherwise everyone would be buying it. I have mainly been flying rc planes and I'm use to being able to slap my plane back together even after really bad crashes and having it up and flying the next day.

with the helicopter, I get it up in the air (sometimes I dont even get that far) and then try to land it safely, something usually breaks. blades, skids, some part of the linkage. I basically have to buy a new one of everything that breaks since there is no way to repair.

I can fly the helicopters on FMS but I suspect the software is really designed for planes because it is very easy on FMS. I have looked into more expensive simulators, but then they start to rival the cost of the helicopter and I'd rather be out flying.

I guess I'll keep trying on my current one and see how many more hits it can take.