C77,
about 10 years ago, there was a good article by Helicopters Magazine, which has since gone the way of the dodo, but the gist was that if you have an a/c and a willing friend (it would help if he/she knew how to longline) you could basically learn given enough time and pointers. i relate to you what i remember with the caveat that i did not write the acticle and accept no responsibility if you choose to try this.
step one was without a line, do circuits to a certain height, depending on how long a line you want to start with (50' 100' 150' etc), paying attention to flight manual supplements regarding external load ops/restrictions. while in the hover at these heights try to look straight down while maintaining a steady hover. do some pedal turns and height variations, too, to see how things change when you are looking down. the next step would be strap on a line, then get your helper to hold the empty end and walk you around while alternating looking down at 45 degrees and straight down (to get used to looking down while maintaining more reference). aim to keep the LL vertical. after you get comfortable with this, try to do cicuits with an empty line paying attention to applicable flight manual supplements regarding external load ops/restrictions. after this put on a light load (heavy enough to be realistic) while paying attention to the RFM supps etc etc.
once you get to this point it is just a matter of practice.
this is by no means meant to be a replacement for any training or courses that you choose to engage in but it helped me when i started out. also, i know nothing about the 44 but if you are comfortable in the machine, then it is a logical starting point because it is tough to learn how to fly a new machine and learn how to longline at the same time. ask me how i know.
i can say that the astar would not be a very good LL training platform simply because the visibility is the pits.
regards
FP
beforee i forget, make sure your helper wears appropriate protective gear (hardhat, gloves etc) and also make sure you LL is long enough to put you clear of any obstacles once you are advanced enough to start trying to practice in the trees etc.