First of all I'm talking about the Hiller 12 C with the 210 Franklin engine. I have a lot of hours in them and you can let go of the collective if the rigging is correct (like it always should be) The collective will just stay where it is. I fly Hillers for different owners and companies and a lot of them are not rigged right but when corrected there are really great to fly.
This conversation was about cost of pistons that's why I threw this in. I'm absolutely not against modern machines I just love flying. However I don't fly the R-22 and probably never will, I read accident reports. If you want a modern 2-3 seater I'd go for the Schweizer or even better the Enstrom.
The accident report about the Hiller is interesting but doesn't say anything about the safety. The pilot ran out of fuel. (He didn't check the fuel before he left and trusted a fuel gauge!) They made a safe autorotation, but chopped the tail.
Mr. Selfish I'm more than willing to fly with you in a Hiller by the way. Not to convince you to buy one but just for the experience.