I had been a plank driver for 18 years before trying rotary, because I had read how hard it was and wondered if I was up to the challenge. I was like a completely new stude after that intro flight in an R22. It took way too long to earn the rating (fly in the morning, work the remainder of the day hoping to break even), but flying home after the checkride, in the dark, was a real kick and very satisfying. A few days later, I took the R22 to a picnic/fly-in to give some rides. The host's wife got in first. She said she had never flown in a helicopter before. I said, what a coincidence, I've never had a passenger before. The look on her face was priceless.
Incidentally, it was about 3 months later I found Pprune, and really started learning.
Ned, thanks for your generosity. Your work is magic with a camera.