I'm a professional helicopter pilot. I learnt to fly on the R22, but got time on the 44 and 120 too. Basic points: Pilots tend to kill themselves rather than being killed by their aircraft. R22s are surprisingly robust aircraft, but it has to be flown the Robinson way. I would say that there is nothing wrong learning to fly the R22 providing you get quality instruction and you are disciplined in your flying. This is also true for any helicopter really and especially so for a fixed wing pilot.