"there are plenty of R44 tour/ENG etc pilots around"
Maybe, but if they want to move on, most will have to start at square one in Turbines.
"put the average las vegas tour pilot in an r22 and tell him to teach someone 180 degree autos, they would struggle."
I bet your right, but why would anyone in their right mind want to step DOWN into a Robbie??
"putting an r22 CFI in an EC120 and telling him to fly a tour."
Thats called progress and NOBODY is going to get turned loose without proper training......
"being a good instructor is a very hard job when done correctly"
We agree again and thats why most all of the tour Pilots and up from there start out as instructors and do well when Progressing..........into turbines. They know the books, just need to get some mud on the pedals and the skids..
Dont know what I will say once "Frankie and the Assemblers" come out with a turbine Robbie. But I dont see any competition in the near future for Bell or Eurocopter.