Another quick one, and I will try and keep this short, regarding training and the use of automation.
The view from the back seat is that the guys in front have a difficult job and need to be trained to the ultimate standard possible and be using the safest possible techniques (auto or manual etc). Any suggestion that our safety is being compromised due to financial constraints is not taken well - especially in this industry where for years now the highest priority is safety.
Realistically its all a business but this thread has shown a number of discussion areas that sound like they really need reviewing and changes made at a number of levels.
Personally speaking I like to think that a pilot would be fully skilled and practised at flying manually in the event this is required as well as being capable of using all the helicopters auto systems competently and confidently. Training and assessment should cover this completely and if it does not at present then it needs fixing.