I think it's great that both of you have these goals! You know there will be some rough spots along the way but always keep those goals in mind and you will succeed.

Here's a link to a site about helicopters:
http://www.verticalreference.com/
Also check the AOPA website, aopa.org under "Training". They have a place whre you can search for flight schools in your area. From there it will list several schools and which types of certificates they train for, such as PPL, Commercial...look for ROT or Rotorcraft.

Welcome to the group, Briana. In the US there is no age requirement to be a student pilot...but no matter how well you do and how quickly you may progress, your instructor cannot sign you off to solo until you're 16. For this reason many young people wait till they're about 15 to start their lessons. Otherwise if you start lessons now, at age 12 or 13, and you become skillful enough to solo, you would end up having to still fly with your instructor (and paying for his time) for 3 years, in order to keep your skills current. Your other option would be simply to stop flying at that point and returning to school shortly before your 16th birthday for a "refresher" course.
I am not aware of the laws where you are now, in Australia. Maybe there you can solo when you're ready to regardless of age. If that's the case then go for it! Even if the certificate you get there would not be valid here at least you'll be able to fly there and become very skillful.

Hi Alan. Welcome to the group. I don't have answers to all of your questions as I am a beginner myself. But I do know about the eyeglasses.  The answer is Yes, you can still fly as long as you pass the vision test.
You see, before you are ready to solo you'll need to get a Medical Certificate which is also your student pilot license. Your school will give you a list of FAA-approved doctors in your area to choose from. The doctor checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure and other vital signs. You also fill out a form about your medical history. Thent hey issue the certificate. In my case, I need to wear my glasses to drive a car. The doctor told me I need to get bifocals, so I will do that. My vision without glasses is 20/400. So unless your vision is worse than mine you shouldn't have any problem passing.

Colton, that's a shame they don't allow students to join. Try doing a Google Search, searching for "All Words" of "Flying" and "Club" and the name of your city and names of nearby cities. That's how I found a local club. I emailed them and they said they do accept students, so I joined. Maybe there is also a link or search feature on the AOPA site? I'll ask my helo friend, from another site I belong to. He's in Kansas.

I just a beginner...have 7 hours. I would have 15 by now but we've been having bad weather. Lots of wind, rain, poor visibility. The past 2 weeks we couldn't fly, so I used that time to focus on ground school. My advice is, read those books! Watch those DVDs! Go to air shows, air museums, expo's and other events. Meet people, network. Another helpful thing to do is, buy a scanner and hang out at the airport and listen to everyone talking. You'll learn a lot that way. Listen to ATIS so you'll be used to how it is presented. Look for a local flying club and join it if they accept student pilots as members. You'll learn from those people too.

Hi Chili! Welcome! I'm kind of new, and on the other coast, but I share your enthusiasm and excitement. I'll be happy to try to answer any questions.

Colton, I don't know if you got my Private Message or not, but I'll post this here. This is a link to a site where you can search for air shows in the US:
http://www.iflyamerica.org/airshow_search.asp?source=overture

Hi Mike! Welcome! That's great that you have set specific goals for yourself.
I'm just starting out too. I'm in FL, want to get my PPL and then Instrument.
I look forward to "conversing" with you.

I'm not in that area but I'd be interested in perhaps an annual get together that members can fly to, maybe share expenses.

On the Sun N Fun Site there's a place to post Share-A-Flight. I know people are flying from Canada and other states. Maybe you can post something there and see who responds. If not, then maybe you can just fly a commercial flight to Orlando or Tampa.

There's the Sun N Fun Fly In, April 8-13, in Lakeland, FL. Website is http://www.sun-n-fun.org/content/ I will be flying in to it even though I live nearby.
By the way, John and Martha King, of King Schools, will be speaking there on April 10, on the subject of Risk Management.

Good conversation starter! I'm learning to fly as a hobby, not to pursue a career. Actually I started with helicopters but that training is much much more expensive because of the aircraft rental. (A 2 place helicopter can rent for about $250/hour.) As of right now I have 7 hours of fixed wing training. I want to get my PPL and then my Instrument Rating. Then after that I might get a helicopter add-on.

Melody, perhaps you are fearful right now as you think about the fact that you yourself will actually control the plane. But once you are there doing it, your mind will be focused on the activity itself and you'll be having lots of fun.

Yes, the cost can vary quite a bit. I paid $125 for a third class. A friend paid $80, about 50 miles away from where I live.