The only comparison I can make, yet again with my model heli's, is that learning to fly mine with it tethered was much harder than allowing small hops across the field. I also had the benefit of two wooden rods forming an x under the heli to widen the footprint and thus stop it rolling over. My thoughts would be in the middle of a nice big field, and then do small hops till you manage to hold it in a steady hover.
Good luck.
Si