So, Imagine a kind PPL were to let you have a free go and you stuff it into the deck and write the aircraft off and cause other damage or injury, or both.
How is your insurance?
Point is, a PPL "who has to fly to keep his hours up" won't be insured or legally allowed to let you fly the aircraft as he isn't qualified to instruct. He/she would probably be in need of personal flying practice, let alone be quick enough to take control from you if you made a complete Horlicks of it, especially in the hover.
The military rules are different - even so you were lucky to get the earlier flight. I would agree that you should get your hand in your back pocket and buy yourself a lesson with someone qualified and insured to let you fly.