I'd just like to make sure that the aforementioned FAA inspector was not happy with the rating less system and he did not endorse flying w/o type relevant training (duh).
He said he's had his own share of helicopter SAR work rescuing affluent sail boat owners from high sea. While they could afford capable vessels they apparently had no idea how to operate them when the going got tough.
He told me that there are prof. check examiners(?) that have no experience on the a/c the applicant wants to conduct the check flight in: One guy fully shut down then engine of a squirrel midflight, right after instructing the applicant to demonstrate an autoratation. Both were very lucky to survive the botched landing, he said.
All in all a very pleasant visit to the FDSO, helpful and patient employees.