A few comments on what has been said. The reluctance of UK clubs and schools to hire helicopters to FAA licence holders has usually nothing to do with any question of competance. Schools frequently say you cannot fly on an FAA licence. This is nonsence of course, have a look at the CAA website at
www.caa.co.uk/srg/licensing/faq.asp?faqid=208 this site makes it clear that flying G registered as well as N registered aircraft and helicopters, both day and night is permitted.
Many people agree that the FAA rotorcraft checkride is more difficult than the CAA or JAA one. After all there are 30,000 rotorcraft pilots in the USA with a better safety record so they must be doing something right.
I think Heliplane was unfortunate in his choice of school in Florida. We teach full touchdown autorotations, stuck pedals, tail rotor failure etc to all of our students. Any school that does not do so is failing the student.
Maintenance is something that cannot be subject to shortcuts. Our maintenance is something we pay a great deal of money for to organisations with a great deal of expertise. After all, most of the helicopters we fly were made here. As I have said, I think Heliplane was unfortunate with his choice of school. Choose carefully, ask for references, talk to previous students and you should be fine.
Regards,
Chopperpilot 47