You can practice a simulation on your computer. My friend uses his own heli controller and an adaptor to the computers LPT1. The sim software is only $400 Might be cheaper now.

 

Yea, I have a sim that does the same. I've logged about 4 hours on it using the radio that came with my heli but I'd really like to find someone who flys them & get some first hand knowledge. I paid 200.00 & it's USB now. IT's called RealFlight G2 (full version + 1 add-on). Works pretty good & I'm told the sim is actually harder than the real thing......man I hope so! I estimate that I've crashed the sim about 30 times! If average repair costs are say $75.00 then I've saved myself $2,250.00 in repairs. Well worth the investment I'd say.