I did it in 45hrs by having two jobs, each one two days a week and Wednesdays flying, regardless of weather. Compared with planks at least you can practice all the close to ground stuff even with a 300' cloud base. I did my skills test when a massive storm had just passed through. When it's nice do circuit bashing and when you pass FLY A LOT. I started in Feb and finished 6 months later. Now I have an R44 and work in aviation so crack on. Can't you just be a bit slack paying them for the 10 hr block and fly the hours first and pay later (that's what I did?)