Comment

Comment by Bennett Scheuer on November 2, 2009 at 8:47pm

Great video, Steve ! Brings back memories ... I used to love to fly up to Shelter Cove from Sonoma. Did have to watch for fog, however. Glad you're back in the friendly skies.

All the best.

Comment by Tim Garrett on November 2, 2009 at 7:42pm

Stephen,

Nicely put. I agree wholeheartedly. If you worry too much, you might as well stay sitting on the couch. The benifits outweigh the risks as this video and all your outstanding photos attest.

Keep flying!

Comment by Stephen R. Smith on November 2, 2009 at 9:41am

Hello Robert,

I am glad you found enjoyment in the video. That’s why I post them. We can’t all experience everything directly. Pictures and video are a great way to share adventures.

As to the ditching, it is fair to say that if one ditches in the Pacific Ocean off the northern California coast your odds are not good. The water is cold. Even with a wetsuit survival can be tough. We loose a few divers every year on the California coast. The area where I shot the video is remote with very limited access by road. Timely rescue would be very unlikely. I fly over many areas which are un-landable – the flying is great – a forced landing; not so much. I do this will full consciousness of my surroundings and with my soul at peace. A forced landing in cold water would be bad. One can find similar odds over population centers, mountains, canyons etc.

As to the proverbial sputtering engine: if one does not trust their engine perhaps some change is needed. I do trust my engine. I know how it is put together, what keeps it running and reasons why it would fail. It is well tested at this point.

Aviation is full of risk. It is my opinion the risk of dying is higher flying in the pattern then flying in a remote inhospitable area. But then, that all depends on the pilot and his airplane. I prefer not to fly around other aircraft – that is the danger I fear.

Robert, thanks for providing me with the opportunity to speak my mind. I guess it doesn’t take much.

Steve

Comment by Robert Pelland on November 2, 2009 at 7:00am

Thank's once again Stephan for a great video. While watching the beautiful coastline glide by, I couldn't help but think, " where do we ditch " when the engine starts to sputter.

Bob