Hi Dick,

I too had "donkey's" years of fixed-wing experience before learning to fly helis. But for many years I have made used of all four functions, so maybe this made it a bit easier for me. The best advice I ever had, and which I pass on to you, is: "Get a flight sim"

There are good and there are not-so-good flight sims, but any one of them will give you the opportunity to learn helis without all that goes with learning on the "real thing." You probably think it's an unnecessary expense (like I did), but you will definitely find lots of benefits from getting a sim

At first I thought I'd never be able to fly a heli sim - but now it has become so easy that I wonder how I ever thought it was difficult. I stil fly a sim to try-out new manoeuvers, and to get some stick-time during spells of bad weather, so I wouldn't be without mine (I have four of them), but if you wanted, to you could sell yours once you've learned to fly a heli

Good luck,

Tony