Scooter, yes, the aircraft is used in training, and also for self fly hire; as well as AOC work by the commercial pilots at the outfit.
The irony is that there are two R44's at the same base, and that the other R44 (not Nic's machine) has always been more touchy about starting, needing a longer hold before it catches. Yet this other aircraft has not [yet!] fouled any of its ring gears, and has murdered less than half the starters (despite Robinson's best efforts to provide dubious lightweight models) when compared with Nic's.
On the note of re-engaging before letting it wind down, the instructors do ensure they brief every student to wait the listed 30 seconds between start attempt. So this, although potentially a big issue, should not be the case in this scenario.