Nope, that's one of the maintenance guys. The IP was just to the left of the frame. I was sitting in the backseat of 06E at the time. These TH-67A+'s are beautiful! They're all spankin new, 03G in the pic here has less than 700hrs TT on her. 06E was at about 550 hours. Man do they handle well!
As for us doing our own preflights, yep. We have to learn everything and we do it all. Not sure how it is for advanced aircraft, but during IERW/BWS, we do everything.
Looks like I'll be starting the AH-64 course on 8 Aug if all goes well. First major hurdle there is a 5&9 test that has to be passed with a minimum 95% for a go. Everything has to be from rote memory.
Oh... and if we fail it twice... no more Apaches.
....and they won't let me start studying until after my checkride!