i just got a good deal on a raptor 30 v2 RTF on ebay for $550 it should be here by monday,anyways i was wondering if anyone lives near saratoga springs NY or is there a club near here, i dont think i can learn on my own without crashing, and i cant afford to crash! plus i need the help setting it up + tips!

thanks

Best possible tip would be to get a flight sim.
I know they are pricey, but it would pay for itself........probably in the first hour of use.

Yeah, a Simulator is the way to go. That will teach you the controls and it wont cost you anything when you crash. I have been playing the sim for about a week, 15, 20 minutes here and there, and I just tried to fly my bird for the first time and was able to hover in my garage for almost the whole battery. I crashed right at the end and broke a tail rotor but I was happy.

Back to the sim while I am waiting for parts to arrive.

Once you start getting good in the sim, you can turn on some wind and updrafts to make the bird harder to fly and that will hone your skills.

Must go with Sim.. i have a raptor50v2 for just about 2years now and have yet to crash, then again i dont do 3d ... I like to keep it real a loop here and there thats it.... Good luck.

http://www.pilotlocator.net

and
http://www.modelaircraft.org search for clubs by zip code