gs alpha
Like you I'am a professional fixed wing pilot who caught the bug and went on to gain my PPL/H.
I payed for my licence up front on a credit card as I was offered a substantial discount to do so,I was happy to do this as the school I learnt at, had been established for many years with a very good reputation.
I spread my training out over six months between April and September,I didn't want to hurry through the training as i enjoyed the whole learning process so much.
That said and bearing in mind Iam a very average pilot,I completed the syllabus within about 34 hours and did additional training to make up the 39 this included a conversion to the R44,something worth considering and maybe not many students are made aware this is possible.I learnt on the Schweizer300 which I much preferred to the R22 and at the risk of upsetting R22 drivers, I think is a better training helicopter.
Good luck and enjoy