I fly as a passenger about once a year for work often at altitudes with landing pads at over 8000 feet. To take off some days you hover about a foot off the ground and float towards a cliff or other major drop off which the pilot dives off of to create a cushion of air to lift the copter.
The worst experience I have had with one of these was living through a migraine headache during one of these trips. Otherwise, copter rides are about like riding an escalator but with a much better view.
Shane
