Chopjock. I agree that a flare is good news in power loss in the cruise. Unfortunately there are two scenarios when this is not a good idea, namely engine failure in the climb out and on the approach. Here you need to retain the speed that you've got. Bearing in mind that the problem is people not doing anything in timely fashion, a one size fits all reaction is the best that can be expected. My teaching was to lower the lever as smartly as possible and maintain or achieve a level attitude, which always requires a bit of rear cyclic.
Incidentally the same techniques are just as valid in the high inertia types like the 44, 66 and 206. Although the rpm don't drop as quickly, they don't recover very quickly either. Important in the failure on climbout case.