Right, I'll try and answer questions etc first...
i2, I haven't worked out the average cost yet; I intend to, at the end. I think I'll find that with the cost of coming over here etc, it'll be about the same as the cost back in the UK. But out of that I've got a free holiday (if an exhausting and stressful one), learned to fly two new helis, got a lot of instruction, learned loads, and had a fantastic time. But I'll give you details later.
Steve, I just LOVE this low level flying - LGB at 500, and the LAX transition at 150. I can't get enough of it! I'm gonna have to be real careful when I get home, where they won't let me do it.
Rotorhorn, I have pics, but not that I can post; don't have a digital camera, sorry. I keep giving my camera to co-pilots, who waste lots of film for me. Top ten places? Nr Fairy may be better for that; he went more places. But I'll do my best, and mine will be different from his I guess.
Wed 24th April (continued)
Did an hour's flying with Kevin, who runs Rotor Aviation (who I highly recommend - better say that; he might read this and it's his PC
But I do recommend him, seriously) A tour over LA, across LAX at 1500 ft, shoreline transition past Santa Monica Pier all lighted up, Hollywood, downtown, back to LGB. The city looks beautiful at night. I could have done it alone, but I'd probably have got lost. But these guys have it easy, compared to the night flying I've done - trying not to fly into clouds and hills back home.
Off to Robinson factory tour soon. Avoiding the traffic by flying to Torrance. Tell you all more later.