Having saved for years to learn to fly helicopters I was soaking up every ounce of knowledge imparted by my godlike instructors.
I was informed of a gem of a hint when pre-flighting my Bell 47.
Sensei instructor, wise and sage counsel that he is, advises me to manually turn the main rotor blade perpendicular to the fore-aft axis of the aircraft as it then visually confirms that the blades will miss any obstructions or other nearby aircraft when the donkey is started.
I was later singing the praises of this instructor to another member of the flight school. I mentioned the obsruction clearance hint given to me and was surprised by the hysterical giggles that it prompted. When I enquired as to this strange reaction I was informed that this tip had been learned by the aforementioned master aviator when he had started the aircraft without having first removed the main rotor tie down and it actually confirms that the blades are in fact free to rotate.
No names, No pack drill.