I don't know who's said that the (french) pilot wasn't experienced on "hueys" and neither do I know his accurate CV but I can say, that he'd been flying seasonal fire fightings for many years on 205s (at least since 1994) and that, for having flown with him, he knew long line ops (mirror and VR) for quite a while too. I also can add that he was familiar with the area...(Gabonese forest, 200 feet high trees)
He's not the first, and he'll not be the last.... !