"currently it would take me 7 months to convert everything, and previous air transport hours would reduce that. "


Don`t confuse the reduced requirements for someone with 1500 hrs TT, 500 Multi Crew etc with a reduction in time to study for the JAA. THe legal minimums for someone not meeting these requirements is 6 months (don't ask me to quote where it says that) but the realistic time for someone with 1000's of jet hours is still 6 months full time.

I have seen and heard of a few who have been the exception, but unless you are going to attend one of the two full time schools here in the US, the drop out rate for home study (known as distance learning) is around 80%

It will also involve alot of travel. You will need a class 1 medical, which cannot be done outside of europe for the initial, and the only exam center over here is owned by the two schools that are approved to conduct full time classes, so be prepared to pay $400 per visit to the exam center, in addition to the $110 per exam (there are 14!)

I don;t mean to disuade you at all, as it will really improve your long term income, but just know what you are getting into before you start.