I was taught to hover 15 feet at the factory, and I am sure they know more then you do. If you lose an engine in an R-22 at 15 and do nothing, you will walk away just fine. Helicopter might not survive, but that is not the major goal in an emergency. Survival without injury is.
I have performed hovering autpos from 15 feet with no damage to the helicopter whatsoever. Why don't you all go to the factory course and ask them to show you a hovering auto from 15 feet. I guess you will be able to show them something because you guys know everything.
JCooper - You don't even know how an engine operates or the effects of air density. And you want to act like a know it all?
I am at 5,500 feet and on these nice warm days the R-22 hovers just fine. Maybe if you don't fly it over gross you might realize its true performance potential.