Heyas,
I ran a ATP/instrument add on thing back in the early 90s, right when the new insurance regs were motivating people into getting their IR/RW.
We did it in an IFR equipped R-22, and it ran great unless you had a guy too big for the R-22. We advertised a 6 hour program, which included the checkride. I must have signed off 20+ people over one summer.
The problem with these types of courses is that it is a requirement that the students already have their IR/FW AND be instrument current and competent. I had a number of headaches with students who had, ahem, overestimated their compentency and started to scream when they went over budget.
Be that as it may, it is VERY, VERY difficult to run this kind of op with a single ship. Guys who are looking for a IR or ATP add on are usually in a hurry, and want the thing to be done in 2-3 days over a weekend. We had a fleet of R-22s, and two full time mechanics and a store room full of parts, and we STILL had show stoppers.
Trying to get AOG service on the weekend will make you go broke quicker than you can say "Frankie Robinson".
If you are considering doing add-ons with guys with NO helio time, then you are talking guys flying solo, and now your insurance is on a rocket ride to Jupiter.
Honestly, if you want an R-44, make sure you have enough cash to own it without trying to make any money with it. If you can do some casual ratings in it, consider it found money.
Another thing to consider is that when guys approach you for ratings, the first thing in their minds is "hey, I've got a buddy who will let me do this cheap!". When you show them what it will really cost, most will say "ahh, I've got do some stuff on the boat...maybe next summer!".
Nu