I trained on a Hughes 300C and then got a 206 endorsement. I understand the 500 feels like the 300 - no hydraulics, tight controls etc. When I flew the 206 it felt like driving a boat. However, it autorotates beautifully and every pilot I know who flew or flies them has a great deal of respect for the machine.
Engineers generally like to work on them except for the servos which always leak. Then you get hydraulic fluid on your hands which attracts black flies out in the bush which is not very pleasant, according to my engineer friends.
