No doubt about it, the R22 is a great machine.
Without it, I wouldn't be flying heli's.
However:
Good enough in the past ?
Well we know alot more now than 25-30 years ago, thats why the standards for certification have improved, and also why the R22 would not be certified in its present form today.
The time given to react to engine failure is terrible and cannot be Overemphasised in my opinion.
We're just fortunate the R22's reliability is exceptional.
Fly safe,
sw