That's why he will benefit from those who spent a lot of time in the 80's-90's tinkering with fan/pipe/engine combinations. Lot's of combined knowledge out there.
I flew DFs from 2004-2006 and never had a dead stick. Stuck to very well know equipment combinations, and did blew up a couple of old fans in the ground, but for me it was worth it. Plus the cost of equipment is so dirt cheap nowadays ( Viofans with BVM 91's @ $250 average).
Rick will end up flying turbines.....he just doesn't know it yet. :-)