Redeye
Yes, the R22 or 44 will open up more cross hire opportunities as there are more potential customers with the type ratings. I noticed what appeared to be a very cheap 44 in the latest Helidata, presumably due to users trading up to the Raven. I have been lucky during the last 4 months in having an R22 permanently available but it went home last weekend and I will miss it sorely!
If I do your calculation based on just my own annual hours then the economics of ownership just do not stack up. Hence there would have to be either a group or some cross hire to make it sensible.
I will go and try an Enstrom at Barton.