Jerry,
That sucks man... just SIM it out until spring time then.. but having more batteries is definitely helpful.. I have 4, but I realize now that 3 is about all you really need. I can fly, put one on charge, fly both the other ones and be done for a while.. It's energy draining to fly too long. I find about 20-25 minutes of flying is all I can take for a while.. I'll fly again in a few hours. And I'm only 27! But flying just gets your heart a pumpin' and your nerves a jumpin'! Especially when your learning. RADD's School is definitely the best! I highly suggest you follow his school to a T. It's saved me so much money and time.. really it has. and it's free info! That's the best part! So many people in the heli hobby are willing to help you out. I mean.. look at the response you've gotten to this post already. I've met nothing but nice people here on the forums. It's a pretty tight-knit community. Especially here in the beginner forums. you'll find that there are a lot of people here that are not beginners. They are here just because they enjoy helping people.. Like my good friend Jim. He's helped me so much. Again, you should post on the "Heli Stuff and Fellowship" post.. everyone there will treat you kindly. They've all sure helped me a ton!