My first 3 hours on the R22 were in 20+kt winds under instruction
Do you mind if I ask a harmless question?
did yer instructer ever get a chance to, a) read or b) allow you to demonstrate to him that you had read, THE flight manual??
Especiallly in light of this little gem, as follows;
Many years ago as a student pilot I vividly recall flying solo in a R22 with 35kts of gusty and bumpy wind.
How many years ago may I ask, before the relevant bits about wind limitations were put in the Flight manual?
So that puts you as learning pre early eighties I guess.?