B73, I feel that anyone who has 1000hrs instruction without incident, is quite likely to be okay given a turbine to fly. The IR is the next level I guess but there's not a great deal of it onshore UK really. I bet everyone in and out of Silverstone yesterday was VFR. Can't see instrument let-downs into that site.
One job I applied for was a non starter as they were looking for Captains only!! Eh? Having successfully completed a ME SPIFR flight test on two different types, i'm not considered suitable because i'm presently an offshore co-jo. I keep forgetting, Co-pilots don't fly, they just sit there and look out of the window when not writing figures down.
It is down to operators not willing to employ people with less time. For some reason they think they are high risk. Is there any evidence that this is the case. ?? The only recent accidents I can remember for SPIFR were with high time experienced guys who were pushing the limits. Is that because with age and experience they felt they knew better? Who knows.
As for age, is there evidence that older pilots are safer, or more of a risk? Facts and figures.??
I do think the older pilot workforce is being unfairly treated and good luck to Ian in his fight. It doesn't apply to me just yet and by the time i'm old enough for it to apply, there probably won't be helicopters flying much. ps, i'm not that young either.