Whirlybird
I don't disagree with anything you've said but, it's funny, reading your post carefully, that you mention just about everything except one thing........ actually going somewhere for a purpose. "Utility", in other words.
Some of your list means a lot of extra money, time, and extra training, especially helicopters!! And most of it would require the participant to own an extensive collection of anoraks
What about the 99% of "people outside"?
If one did a PPL(A), took the equivalent cost of a PPL(H) and spent that on a syndicate share in something decent and extra training, they could certainly go places.
I think the best single bit of advice for staying in the game is to buy into a syndicate almost immediately after the PPL, and if one can afford it, buy something. And for going somewhere, the IMC Rating is the baseline.