This is a thread running at the moment on Rotorheads on this topic:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...5&pagenumber=1
I'm finding it one of the most useful threads ever on PPRuNe, so I thought I'd post the link here, since some of the points mentioned apply to all types of flying. Maybe people could add some other points here too. Let's help each other!