bill:
Unless you've got a rich recently deceased relative, or are leaving the stockbroking profession to go into helicopters, then the US - or Oz - is one of the best places to get value for money., and as long as the hours are P1 on a type you have in your logbook, then it's all kosher.
I did it this way, so did a fair few others who frequent here. The rules have slightly changed though - check "Wannabees" because there's CAA / FAA forms and the like you need before you arrive.