Thanks MS, Oogle and co. Yes, my intention was to do ME from the start.
I guess if you can do 20 of the 40 hours in a Sim, there is not much point in doing them in a FW? 20 hrs Sim plus 20 hours ME helicopter, and flight test, this is correct?
I currently get regular check outs on IFR and ILS approaches incase of inadvertant IMC, this is conducted at night under a half covered cockpit, in the 427, but this is not an IFR certified helicopter although it is fully equipped as such, less an autopilot. Unfortunately there is no way to do a flight test in it!
Thanks for the replies. BM