Originally Posted by
alphanumeric
I don't think an IR won't really help in an unstabilised R44
Put most north sea pilots into sudden IMC in an R44 and see what results you get.
Low time Robbie guy here. If you haven't tried it, it's not nearly as difficult as you think. For a commercial rating you need 5 hours under the hood or in an approved simulator. I did over half my time in an R44, at night just to minimize potential external cues. While more difficult than in a fixed wing, I did not by any means find it impossible, and was able to fly around reasonably well at the direction of my instructor, even shooting a couple of ersatz approaches (not ILS).
Also, I would agree, the R44 simulator that was available for the remaining time is, in comparison to the actual aircraft, "a bag of weasels"
Much more difficult to fly than the real thing.
Note that none of this means that I ever intend to fly into IMC!