As I mentioned before, I also think the 412 option is the best one, since a twin-engine hour in a Fire fighting flight (no controlled environment), landing anywhere necessary to leave the personnal, with a captain next to him teaching some good stuff has no comparison with the R44... especially for the long run...
The company we work is a serious company in Spain with a great group of people and we normally show and teach the newbees, as they come as co-pilots... so this should not be an issue
Also, even if he goes for the Power Line R44 job, he will be flying alone, but a known environment, pretty much the same everyday, same airfield for landing.... I don't know... not much to learn
Also, I think that we all had opportunities to be scared one day or another, so I don't think people should be looking for it by flying alone, especially if unexperienced, recently out of school...
Anyway, good luck for him... I wish I had had this problem when I started...
Also, one thing to consider is that he does not have IFR, so if he doesn't do the 412, what is he gonna have later on when looking for another job... R44 hours?? Lot's of people have the Robinson...
By the way, here in Spain, companies are always looking for people to work in the fire campaing, April-October... 1000 hours should be fine since many people come from the Army with that amount of hours...
Let me know (PM) if anyone need any information