Thup-thup: Garry Larson

Things I've learned

Destroyed rotor blades don't count as substantial damage.
Broken fingers don't count as serious injuries.
On solo flights... you gain altitude and speed, FAST.
If you don't know the active runway... ask.
Cross a runway at altitude and at midfield... safest spot.
Quadruple check your communication frequencies.
Communicate, communicate, communicate.
Double check your communication frequencies.
Never guess, use you instruments to tell you facts.
Always know where you are.
Don't let the wind push you around.
Gentle, slow and steady movements... and wait a bit for feedback.
SMS 46645: metar khio
Ride the vibe.
Feel the force.
The helicopter does not react to a tight grip... lose the 'death grip'.
Anticipate, don't just correct.
<5KT Wind, 3SM Visibility, 1000ft Clouds
Eyes outside!
Cyclic is pronounced "PSY-click" not "SICK-lick"
Wear a t-shirt. It gets hot in the cabin.
You don't need the key to start the pre-flight.
Pendular Motion is not a fun state to be in.
Raise collective == Left Pedal / Lower collective == Right Pedal
Fly first, then communicate.