I fly fixed wing, freight, never flew a helicopter. But your uncle was a certified BA, flying in (almost certainly) lousy, all-weather conditions, in an ever changing environment, and in a hostile environment. Just doing what he did in the civilian world is - bar none - the most difficult flying (civ helo air ambo ops).
Fun fact - my son saved his allowance for 3 years and bought an RC car in elementray school. It was the best age appropriate introduction to the cost of car ownership evah!