After using the three page pre-flight checklist, the start only requires two pages, small type no less. The start checklist must be thoroughly followed because of a dearth of hands once pulled into a hover. Finally airborne and commencing the taxi to the appropriate departure point, watch out for the tail boom. It wants to swipe every other aircraft, light pole and fence nearby with its rotor. Just one more thing to be alert for.
Wisdom says, just stay as clear of everything as possible.
The easy part is the departure. If the departure is a piece of cake, the approach is anything but. Closing in on the ground at near zero airspeed and adding power in the last few seconds is contradictory to my 20 years in fixed wing aircraft. The training has been more challenging than I ever imagined, but the reward unparalleled. Once more I have experienced the joy of flight as only a novice student can.