Geoffers,
I hear what you're saying and I don't disagree, but good luck selling that to big business. If it interferes with their profits you won't get through the front door.
I guess it could also be argued that modern technology which may make helicopters more complex, does in fact make them more tolerant of the ignorant. Therefore, unless the accident rate goes through the roof, there is little on which to base a change in regulations.
Don't get me wrong, I'm with you on this, but I think a more compelling arguement may be needed to divert the current course. Supply and demand will have a huge influence and if, as you suggest, 70% of training could be delivered by SFIs then a natural level will evolve for that new SFI animal. And the final tidying up will be done at the jobsite by company trainers/supervisors.
TM