I don't think there is anything wrong in asking. I really don't know if he will get any response, but he probably will.
I would much rather get a 600 hour ex-UK military guy who has all that nice training, has some turbine time, and "realworld" experience, than some guy w/3 times more time say in an R22 giving flight instruction or something like that.
Don't want to hurt anyones feelings, just my opinon.