RE: esc location
In general it's a good idea to keep the ESC away from the receiver since it can cause interference. It may not make much of a difference when the heli is close in since it's getting a strong signal, but as it moves further away from you and the signal gets weaker it might become a problem. I have the ESC strapped to that little tab just above the battery in front of the motor with the receiver in the same place you have yours.