So im pretty new to all this stuff and im just curious where a good place is to start with my project.

Heres the Details:

I have an "Accelerator Protocol" Helicopter that I would like to have do an automated Flight path, I mostly want to create this for a technical project in my upcoming GIS program this fall so im getting a head start.

My research tells me so far I will need:

1. SparkFun UDB5 - PIC UAV Development Board

2. GPS Receiver - EM-506 (48 Channel)

3. some sort of magnetometer (is this just a fancy word for a compass)?

Any help or direction will be greatly appreciated and I can upload photos of the Heli if needed.