Pilot qualifications & currency

• Flight review: every 24 calendar months — 1 hr ground + 1 hr flight + endorsement (61.56).
• Day pax recency: 3 takeoffs & 3 landings in 90 days (61.57(a)). Night: 3 to a full stop, night, in 90 days (61.57(b)).
• Medical: third-class (AME) or BasicMed (physician exam q48 mo + online course q24 mo). Currency ≠ proficiency.

Airworthiness & required documents

• Aboard: ARROW — Airworthiness cert, Registration, Radio license (intl), Operating limitations/POH, Weight & balance.
• Inspections (airplane-style mnemonic AV1ATE): Annual, VOR (IFR), 100-hr (for hire/instruction), Altimeter/pitot-static (IFR), Transponder, ELT. Confirm which apply to your ops/category.

Weather

• Use briefings/products before every flight; know METAR/TAF basics, AIRMET/SIGMET, and density-altitude impact.
• Helicopters are not immune to weather — set personal minimums and a hard go/no-go.

Cross-country & airspace

• Plan course, headings, fuel, and alternates; check NOTAMs and TFRs.
• Airspace classes A–G — know entry/equipment/visibility & cloud-clearance requirements; helicopters have some special-VFR/ops allowances. Confirm helicopter-specific exceptions.

Performance & limitations

• Weight & balance and density altitude drive performance — high/hot/heavy/humid degrades power and lift.
• Use POH performance charts (HOGE/HIGE, takeoff/landing distance) — never a generic number.

Systems (R44)

• Engine → belt/clutch drive → main & tail rotor; sprag clutch enables autorotation; governor manages RPM.
• Pre-takeoff hydraulic check verifies the system and the feel of a failure. Sump fuel first flight + after each refuel.

Human factors & aeromedical

• IMSAFE: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion/Eating.
• Watch hypoxia, hyperventilation, CO, dehydration; trust instruments in spatial disorientation. Beware get-there-itis.