as a helicopter instructor
from what i remember when i was a Student
1- 1st solo for me was Hover + Spot Turn
2- Circuit inside the airfield to the runway ,, and the ATC knows that i am a Student
3- Cross country
then Flight Test
now the Question is ,,, do Student Practice PFL ? Vortex Rings in the helicopter in SOLO flights ?
Answer is HELL NO
Student is not allow to Practice any of these maneuvers
Unless with his instructor ,,
instructor shows the student ,, in case it really happens and how to recover ,,
when student get his License and want to hire his own helicopter and kill him self ,,
its up to him ,, but never try this ,,
now days ,, most of flying School ,, dont do PFL and touch the ground ,, because chance of crashing in Training is more then REAL engine Failure
this is why we have Simulator
Fly safe and dont Kill yourself