Rotorhorn,
Concerning high altitude stuff, I felt exactly the same way. It doesn't mean much when you learn to fly in the UK - power requirements are all a bit theoretical. Here it's all too real, and when I saw that rotor RPM just dropping and dropping, and the poor little heli just not able to fly, with the collective really high up, it really brought it home to me. Good stuff.
Simon,
Rotor Aviation do indeed advertise in Pilot. But there's often a problem with e-mailing Kevin; phoning him on his mobile was the best way for me. They don't do the B206 stuff, but will arrange it for you. It's $120 an hour, and the transition is $1320 for ten hours ground school, two hours flying, and the B206 book. But you don't do any start-ups for real, only simulated. It seemed really good, and good value, but it may be better to do the B206 conversion back home. I wouldn't feel confident about the start-up on my own. But Phillippe said I'd be fine, and my problem was lack of confidence, which is possible. When I've seen what I have to do to get it on my UK licence, I'll let you know.
Tuesday 30th April
Last day.
Packed my stuff, and said goodbye to Irene, the lady I've been staying with, who's become almost a substitute mum! Went to Long Beach Flying School, and did 0.9 hrs in a C152 - landings not great, otherwise my 8 month layoff doesn't mean I've forgotten how to fly. Instructor commented how light I was on the controls - of course I am; I'm an R22 pilot.
Anyway, it was fun, and the 3 takeoffs and landings means I'm legal to take passengers in the UK.
Now back at Rotor Aviation, staying near LAX tonight, then home.
And I wanna do it all again; it's been absolutely fantastic!!!!