Go for the FAA option. So basicly;
1/ Get the FAA Class 3 medical (FAA standards are a lot more logic than the absurd JAA rules). There are plenty of FAA examiners in UK.
2/ Get your FAA PPL license (if you already have/had a JAA certificate, this should be a piece of cake)
3/ Fly on your G-reg heli with this FAA paper, even outside UK Airspace! I have this written down in an official mail from CAA UK: You can fly a G-reg aircraft, even outside UK airspace as long as it is VFR, for private use and the visiting country allows this.
4/ Or put your machine on the N-reg. No sweat...
@helimutt: I was denied a JAA class II medical because my vision correction is -8.5 and the limit is -8.0 (I wear glasses). Two days later, the FAA DOES grant me a PPL medical because they are more logic: you'll be flying with glasses so it's the vision you have when wearing glasses that counts of course. I have been flying for quite soms time now and can make a flight from point A to B with an N-reg aircraft. Safe and sound. If I do this same flight, in the same airspace with the same aircraft on JAA-reg, this would be 'dangerous' according to your so called specialists. This really makes me laugh and is proof o the absurd JAA rules. So please refrain from making comments if you don't know what you are talking about. Regards.