I flew with Q (Quentin Smith son of Mike Smith CAA Panel examiner) doing my LPC's this week and we flew in a new R44 RavenII which was fitted with various bits and pieces for their next pole trip which presumme he will be completing with his previous swimming partner Steve Brooks.
Either way i am not that interested in the tax payers money etc but what i can tell you he his an exceptionally skilled / knowledgeable pilot. We completed some very interesting flying followed by finishing off in an r22 at night, engine off constant attitude to the ground in nil wind with two feet of radiation fog on the field at Denham. He took control in the last three feet and completed the excercise perfectly.
I flew with him several years ago during my early instructor days where he helped me with my EOL's and i recommend him to any hungery for knowledge pilot. a million miles from the factory courses
I know where i will be doing my next LPC's if he's not been eaten by a polar bear.