Pre-solo checkride at a small flight school in Texas.....about 600 helicopters in orange and white paint schemes.....preflighted....including checking the logbook...got strapped in to crank it up while Instructor Pilot finished his coffee and ciggy. Before hitting the start button....had nagging second thoughts....wanted to make sure the blade tie down was off....unstrapped and got out and walked to the rear of the aircraft.
Then I noticed the entire tail rotor and hub was not attached as it had been removed for maintenance.
Nope....not nervous...not me!
Thank goodness the IP wanted a second ciggy before coming out to fly or I would have really embarrassed!