Rotorbike
I don't think Chuck is an instructor, and the rest of what you say may be right.
He owns the JetRanger, is a journalist and, I think, receives payment for his news/traffic reports not for flying/supplying the helicopter
I have CAA and FAA private licences, and did it for the experience not to build hours towards a commercial licence.
Anyone who needs to count the hours towards a CPL should obviously check the legal position with the CAA.
Re Left seat/Right seat.
My understanding, from informal discussions with the CAA, is that they take a sensible approach to this issue. eg They know PPLs building hours often share a helicopter and, provided they each log only the time they flew, that time can be logged as P1.
I stress that comes from informal discussions.
[This message has been edited by Flying Lawyer (edited 25 March 2001).]