New to RC Heli - Need suggrstions!

[nero]

Hello All;

I am brand new to RC Helicopters. I have played and am advanced with both Elictric RC Cars and Gas RC Cars. Anyways, I have some extra money and was thinking this would be great to fly a helicopter around. However, I am trying to decide a few of the following things. I am sure that there must be a thread about this already, but I could not find it. If you can point me in the right direction it would be great.
First, should I purchase an elictric heli or a gas powered heli. I realize that the major differances are flight time, flight complexity, model complexity, price, and space requirements. But is the gas helicopters impossible to learn for a bigginer? I plan on purchasing a simulator first.
Second, where online do most of you recommend purchasing the product. I am looking for someplace like Newegg but for RC.
Finally, what models of Elictric and Gas are recommended for begginers? I know there might be threads for all the above, so please point me in the right direction.
One last thing, if I get a gas powered helicopter, does anyone know if there are clubs in Pittsburgh, PA where I can join other pilots and fly somewhere other then in my back yard?

Thanks allot for your time.
Tamer

[chaos]

I think a .50 size glow heli would be easier than a small electric. Helimax Kenetic 50 looks pretty good and it has excellent instructions with it.

Check this out
http://www.hovercrew.com/index.php

Also check the phone book for hobby shops. You should be able to find some heli folks through one of them.

[uneverno]

Concur with Chaos. Bigger is more stable, therefore easier. You've already got nitro motor experience and heli motors aren't so different from cars that you couldn't adapt.
If I had the space/money I'd go Nitro myself.

[hawkman]

Good idea about finding a club....I agree about getting a Nitro powered heli...why not take a look at Century Helicopters...based in the US they produce some great machines at fair prices....spare parts shouldnt break the Bank either.

Whatever you get make sure its a current machine....dont be tempted by helis that are old and hard to find spares for.

A nitro heli should be more stable.....and less hassle....if the flight battery pack is all charged up, you can do a lot of flying....electric helis are great but expect to pay big bucks for serious battery packs.

My first heli was nitro....lasted ages.....I now fly a petrol powered 'Predator' this is quite large but lovely to fly...really steady.

Have you got a Simulator? its worth getting one.

R