As350nut lets see.
Starting hints: Firstly ensure you disconnect batt after shutdown so you have good batt for start. Secondly, simply follow the correct 120 post SB start procedure-line up the white lines and she goes no issues.
Blades life time: In my experience depend on environment, but if they are maintained correctly even if they dont look nice they last long. Do not paint them every 100hrs to look nice and they will sand erode to a point within limits and stay there, paint them especially with the incorrect chemicals and procedure and the paint and rubber strip will come off. Big problem and exchange req.
VEMD: reliable but make sure if you do replace it you get compatable software unit
Dual Controls: Easy but a locking required on the collective, cyclic and pedals just pins and dont forget the dummy plug on collective must be installed if you remove the duals. Our AMO gave us a illustration and we had to fit and remove 3 times incl the locking and then gave us AMO authorisation to fit and remove.