Good morning MikeH
One tip :- do your checks well on the training establishments, some may tempt you to part with a Block payment and offer a discount indoing so, remember the words
"Caveat Emptor" it means Buyer Beware!! and is attached to every House purchase in the UK, it is saying check everything before you part with your cash, ..many trainees in the past have lost an awful lot of money in being so keen as to not see the signs of a small ..struggling (financially ) Flight training establishment.
Check out as many as you could drive to in say a 50mile radius from your base (home)..and when you make your choice.. weekly or twice weekly lessons are far easier to handle , for you dont spend time on the next lesson trying to remember what it is you do next! Get all the books on the technical side of helis and read up well on radio and how to use it, it is important for you to know as much as you can absorb regarding the tech side of the machine that you want to fly, your walk round pre flight check is so very important look at everything that moves, or spins or is attached to the electrics, adopt the attitude that if it dont look right ..then it probably isn't.
But most of all enjoy the training it opens up your mind and heart to a totally new way of life/enjoyment and you will meet some cracking people, especially here on Pprune Rotorheads.
By the way, Planes are normally used to smooth wood!
Many regards
PeterR-B
Lancashire