Went to Helitech in 98 and flew the power there with a 3/4 fuel load 5 pob and came to a hover at 1000' agl (only just outside ground effect) pulled back an engine and it didn't move, a slight Nr decrease which recovered v.swiftly, there was a comfortable amount of spare power to fly away without any trouble.
No info on High DA ops - sorry
Sloane Helicopters have a few pilots who have some experience on this beastie!
eden (energy driven eccentric nirvana)