Thanks for the US perspective, B Sousa.
There are undoubtedly differences between the attitudes to avation in general, and helicopters in particular between the UK and the US.
Our rules are far more complicated than the FAA equivalents, and far more restrictive. As you've probably read, some people (even some pilots) get very hung up about whether someone else has technically breached Rule 5 (low flying) - regardless of whether there was actually any risk/danger to anyone in the particular circumstances.
As you know, these are open forums, so I'm sure you'll bear in mind that not everyone who claims to be a professional actually is, and (even if they are) they may have their own axe to grind. N2 makes this point very well in his post above.
I suggest you take the recent descriptions of police helicopter pilots gung-ho flying and disregard of safety with a very large pinch of salt.
Hope we'll be reading some more contributions from you - why not start a new topic?
[This message has been edited by Heliport (edited 14 May 2001).]