Whilst the 66 take off and landings might have been better done further away from onlookers please bear in mind that it was not a public event, everyone was there by invitation and the majority were pilots. Each time we pilots climb into a helicopter we are aware of the risks involved and make an informed decision to continue. Judging by posts on this and the R66 thread some onlookers made an informed decision to leave the scene but the majority decided to stay. An informed decision?
Whilst many have been only to keen to have a go at SB I note that nobody has mentioned the black R44 (at least 3 POB) which took off a few minutes before the hangar doors were opened. Given that everyone else had driven to Booker because of the weather you have to ask yourself - Was that a good decision?