Sims are fine but is your Sim actually duplicating the reaction of a properly Rigged aircraft?
I would strongly suggest that a sim would give you far greater training value than this properly rigged aircraft of yours, and what about duplicating the reactions of the crew?
Don't forget that many factors affect how the aircraft will handle and the pilot react in any given situation, especially in autorotation. Factors such as density altitude, weight, rotor rotational speed, forward airspeed, visibility, sudden loss of ANR, disorientation, arousal, distraction, reaction, landing area available, etc.
All of these conditions can easily be factored in with a simulator yet highly problematic with the real aircraft. Real sights and sounds, varying environmental conditions, a police observer beside you, day/night and you'll find the sim will come into its own. You can even induce fatigue prior to the sim trip to simulate those those 4am round and round and round and round round and round and round and round …. tasks.
Powered autorotations in a real aircraft shortly after the sim trip would then compliment the training.
We all do auto training on the 6 monthly OPC, both day and night, to a clear area; but we also all know full well that when it happens its not going to be at 1500' over an airfield.