With classroom hours about flight controls and maybe some simulator time before actually flying one?
The basics of the flight controls don’t need hours of classroom. As for simulator time? You’re joking, right?
It’s not at all an unusual thing for a non-pilot to be given the controls (at altitude, well after takeoff and well before landing), with a competent pilot in the other seat ready to take back the controls instantly if the non-pilot starts to get over his head or do something dumb.
I have been that non-pilot a few times.
Not in a helo, though.