I believe some of the answers to your question are incorrect but it can be checked.  The VA will only pay for training once you have already obtained a private pilot certificate. The rate was 80% some years ago, but I believe it is much lower now. It does not matter whether your initial training comes from a Part 61 or a Part 141 course of instruction.  I am rated in both airplanes and rotorcraft and have several thousand hours in each category. After an initial investment of $835 I earned the money back and actually was paid for my additional flight training.

   The least expensive way for you to obtain the ratings is to get the airplane ratings and then do an " add on" rating for rotorcraft. The earlier comments about the experience of flying under the same or nearly same regulations being valuable is correct. Go to an airport, meet other pilots, make yourself available to fly with anyone who will let you come along, network with working and recreational pilots.

   Get your civilian mechanic's certificate and , if possible, trade mechanical work for flight time with others. Being a flight instructor is not the only or necessarily the best way to build flight time. Having both ratings will make you more desirable in the corporate job market.

   Does your base have an aero club, if so use it. I am not completely sold on 141 flight schools and with over 9000 hours I have never attended one.

   Unless you fly for a smaller helicopter company, how do you expect to amass 1000 hours of helicopter PIC and 2000 hours of helicopter flight time?  Remember the insurance issue.