I don't know anything about the school you mention but a flight in a Bell 47 is a very good idea.
Reliability, safety etc? Bell 47s have long established reputation as a safe reliable helicopter.
Gazelle? Wonderful helicopter, but a waste of money at your stage - unless you're a passenger and it's being flown by an experienced Gazelle pilot showing you what it can do.
Whirlygig
'Don't believe everything you read'. I assume you mean that as general advice rather than as advice not to believe any particular contributor.
Should gizmocat believe you've never heard anything bad about the school?
