The good thing about a flow pattern....is when interrupted...one merely starts over...as for starting a Bell product....if the blade is not at 3-9 o'clock so you can see both ends of the blades....you are heading for disaster. Imagine the delight of seeing that bit of bright red metal and ribbon with those cute little sand bag thingies whirling around in front of you.....knowing they are headed for the tail rotor!
Some self imposed rules....learned the hard way over the years...always take a walk all the way around the thing...pointing at things that need attention prior to flight...(latches, seat belts hanging out, tie-downs....pitot tube covers...blade tie-downs...). Never leave a tie down in any position besides tied down or secured someplace out of the way. Always....always....chock a wheeled aircraft unless you can find a convenient hole to put your wheels in...then chock it anyway. Never leave your fuel handler alone to do the fueling....he might be having it away with your Missus and want you out of the picture. Always owe your Engineer a bit of money or drinks or something of value. Wear an expensive watch....and remind Ops that should you go missing...."Finders-Keepers" is the rule.
Captain Dink Hyphen-Smyth has the best advice yet heard....always be on time for work and never argue with the Chief Pilot.
