Jiver:
I also like helis a lot I only have a Trex SA and a CP Pro, it took me some time to handle them the way that I do it now, I am not an expert but I can hover them and make some routines with out crashing (that means a lot for me).
Do you remember the Radd's School of rotary flight?
I took the lessons and went very easy to feel comfortable, I had not an instructor but I was much disciplined on following the Radd's School lessons.
You will feel that flying airplanes should be easier for you, because you already are aware of orientations; the big difference here is that the plane can't stay motionless in the sky as helis can do so fly in advance is good.
You also will find that it is easier to fly with a the help of a buddy box and an instructor (I know that when flying helis the use of a buddy box is almost impossible), that can save you a lot of money and the set up will take only a few minutes.
On your choice I would say that it is a good one, keep the airbrakes of the PTS on until you feel comfortable and a bit more.
The choice of your engine is the best (I am a Saito user with 6 engines of different displacements), this engine will last long and could be used in a further project.
You also will find that in the worst event of a crash, the repairs or replacement of the .40 and .60 sized airplanes are way cheaper than those in the Helis world.