First post.. Hoping to draw on the brains trust and good will out there...

I've been learning to fly on two choppers, an MCPX and a 120SR.. Still only doing basic stuff but at least it is ending badly _less_ often...
I have a Spektrum DX8 transmitter, using that on the MCPX, 120
While I'm getting the practice, I'd like to slowly build a big chopper for outside (wind affected) flying, with a set of training bars at first of course..

Thing is, all the builds I've seen, and there are some fantastic build videos out there, are seeming to concentrate on 3D performance. I'm at least 12 months away from even thinking about defying gravity, so I want to build a chopper with tame performance and long flight times in mind. Reason I want to go big is that once I am ready to get some practice and late build a performance oriented chopper, this one can be for camera work, having the lifting capacity and stability needed..

It seems that noone does a 700 sized clone chopper, so that is out.

A 600 size? Why not?

So what I'm after is some guidance on choosing components to suit this.. A lower power motor, capacity to carry (maybe) doubled up batteries, friendly features like good tail manners and metal head/tail for reliability in the long term.. As I'm new, how do I choose a motor with a compromise between load capacity, head speed and battery life?

I would suggest the Century Swift NX as it can easily be set up for LONG, very stable flights using their 600+ motor, 9T pinion their 85A ESC set at 80% using 560 or even 570mm blades.

There are fellows using them for photo work that get 15 minute flights using 6000 mah packs.

Here is a video of one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzh3nhfJLrM

Set at a higher head speed (100% ESC) and a simple change to 3D paddles will give you this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xijoSIekxQ0

These are of the Swift 16, it has now been replaced by NX which is even better with the Battery pack under the canopy instead of under the mainframe.