Yep, as far as I am aware, there is no sling, or vertical reference training in the UK. SAD isn`t it?
Helicopters are a utiltiy piece of equipment, yet not in the UK, and for the best part of Europe. I can tell you this - In Canada you have an introduction to slinging (possibly 5 hours). If you get to commercial skill level (as I did) in time , and with the right operator and school, you get longline 50-150, bambi bucket, hover exit etc. And all in 100hrs of training. Don`t see any UK schools doing that!!! No real precision stuff in the UK. Very sad. (bar some military pilots)
But we all know that the UK CAA knows best.
I rest my case
Decimal
PS Not sure about FAA formal slingload training. But I think I`ve made a point.