Which optional Rules do you typically play with?

[TheBigRedOne]

From the User's Manual: the most important part, in my mind, is in bold.

Helicopter Hovering is an Optional Rule intended to introduce more fidelity into the dynamics of helicopter movement. However, because this issue puts more requirements on the player not directly related to the conduct of the ground action, it is optional so that the player can choose to disable the effect, resulting in simpler play.

When a helicopter is flying, it is possible for it to enter a state called Hovering. This represents a state where the helicopter is not flying with any significant speed, but rather remaining basically at the same location for periods of time. When a helicopter is Hovering, fire against it is doubled in value.

The actions that cause a helicopter to become Hovering are:
• When a helicopter takes off, it becomes Hovering.
• When a helicopter changes its facing in the same hex, it becomes Hovering.
• When a helicopter turns more than 60 degrees while moving one hex, it becomes Hovering. That is, when a helicopter moves from its current hex into one of the 3 hexes behind its facing direction, it becomes Hovering.
• When a helicopter fires its weapons in such a way that the use of the weapons exceeds the movement usage of the helicopter, it becomes Hovering.

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To answer the question about the pros and cons:

The hovering rule keeps a player from parking their helicopter in the sky and firing at will on ground targets. If a HMG is in the vicinity, we all know that this would be a very, very foolish thing to do. It keeps that player honest in terms of making sure the helicopter is always moving.

The cons can range from difficulty in getting a helo out of hovering status, taking away from the player's focus on what's going on with his ground forces.

I always play scenarios with helo's with the hovering rule on. Keeps things a bit more realistic and gives the enemy a fair shot at shooting down your valuable copters if you're foolish enough to let one sit for a period of time without trying to move it out of harm's way.