While I realize that there are "different strokes for different folks",
perhaps it's time that a word of caution is entered into the discussion.
Flying is about freedom. Flying Magazine's Lane Wallace captures this feeling
and puts it on paper better than anybody I've ever known.
http://www.flyingmag.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=471
This article is typical of those she has written. The freedom of flying a
Lancair IV around the country has been a highlight of my Aviation career. I've
had the joy of pushing the throttles forward on a very lightly loaded Boeing and
that feeling of thrust and climbing at an astounding rate. But nothing,
absolutely nothing, approaches the joy of flying over the Sierras mountains in
the pressurized Lancair IV, on a nice bright spring day, listening to good
music, going where I want to go.
I live in a flying community which has an formation flying organization
called Gaggle Flight. I have flown formation with other high-performance
airplanes to our Saturday morning breakfasts. One flight (the last one for me)
the leader flew us into a flock of vultures, which required that I breakout of
the formation. A retired American pilot in the backseat to this day is effusive
in his praise of my action which he is certain was essential for saving his
life. Had I been locked 100% on a wing tip and not scanning ahead----
I'm also reminded of a recent episode in California with a group of Bonanza's
that followed a leader into a canyon.
John and Martha King have addressed the issue of risks in flying.
http://www.kingschools.com/productDetail.asp?itemNo=OOC%20AVMRMCD
The joy of camaraderie at the bar that night- being able to brag that I
tucked it in really tight, does not seem to be a reasonable payoff for the RISK
of a midair collision.
For those who haven't flown formation, the requirement of concentration is
essential. For extended periods of time. A gust/propwash/wing tip vorticies must
be met with immediate control inputs.
True, it is a test of skills. But so are many other aspects of flying. A good
crosswind landing or a tightly flown on ILS (less than an a needle width from
intercept inbound)
But, as for me, I'm not willing to place my life in the hands of someone else
while I concentrate on how close I can put my airplane to his.
My two cents worth.
Charlie K.
PS ---