Extreme
I must agree with all the previous comments. I don't think I really understood what was going on until Mr Balman shook me awake during my instuctor course.
On an hours front, we've just had a student (with PPLA) pass the LST with just 40 hours. He was good, had excellent feel, a sensible approach and was absolutely committed and like all 'go get 'em' youngsters we had to rein him in a bit every now and then. Nice thing is though, he realises that he's on the bottom step and considers that he has a licence to learn now
Regards the enjoyment of Fixed versus Rotary - Beware! I thought I'd had all the enjoyment I could manage after 22 years of fixed wing including a couple of years of aerobatics in a Pitts. However, someone stupidly suggested that I take a heli trial lesson. Wham - I was hooked. Nothing beats it for flying. Honest. I still do some fixed wing to stay current, but the pleasure and satisfaction of flying then blades beats trolling around in a plank anyday.
On a cautionary note though - in the early days it is possible to get confused with some of the control inputs necessary, particularly when under stress - but if you want it, you'll work it out
Go for it - you'll not regret it
[ 19 October 2001: Message edited by: balance_trim ]