Here in the States, there are many ways to skin a cat......Sounds like the question originates in the UK, so flying here is not the first hurdle. Getting here with the blessing of INS(Immigration) and the persmission to fly/work so is first. Then one can take a Foreign license down to the FAA and recieve FREE of Charge a US FAA Private Helicopters License based on ones Current Foreign license. Then comes the fun stuff with INS again. You must have a work permit to fly for hire also a US Commerical Pilots License. Question is if your not getting paid, then do you need a commercial or work permit??? Its a gray area.. Either way if you want the time you can figure out how.
Fly lawyer, jump on in.......