
He SAYS:
1. Thank you! It made him think of me;
2. Looked like fun. He wishes he was in the backseat - Ex post facto - with the knowledge that you didn't dip your back wheels in the surf and nosed over, down to Davey Jones's locker, and assuming that you landed safely afterward;
He ASKS:
1. Was there a pax? Prior to the lovely display - having the knowledge that he does from his son's constant talking about "triking", he would not have gotten in the backseat.
2. Was it safe in the event of an engine out - he asks weather you can swim? Apparently the waves were a couple of metres under you..
3. What is your fine if caught on camera? (He will take his camera to the beach tomorrow - so don't do it again!

BEWARE DUDES! You NEVER know who is watching... Riemtelegram loop van Ramsgate na Poloks.......Luckily it was my Dad - so he phoned ME, and not Margate....
I am a BIG lover of low flying, make no mistake. I do it where I know that I am safe - with solid, even earth underneath me, intimate knowledge of the area - and ALWAYS without pax. Also, far away from the 1000ft above and 2000ft radius rule from any built-up area / assembly of people. Also - I don't steam low level abeam a very busy beach, with hundreds of potential witnesses...
Whilst I share your desire to skim the waves - I suggest you do it a) alone, and b) far from busy beaches. Imagine the crap you would have put this whole (small) community through if you landed up in the waves? Front page news, a lot of negative comments about the "dangers" of these grassnyer engine powered death traps, and MORE regulation. THINK man, THINK!
So - WHO are you?




NS: We have been doing a remarkable job in the "Incidents and Accidents" section of this forum. Nothing major and tragic to read. The "thugs" have been doing well. Remember however that at the end of 2011/begin 2012 we had some serious accidents, resulting from low flying.. Let's not screw up our record as we forget, and need some new examples to set us straight again.
On my coffee table I have this excellent book on aviation accidents, that does not deal AT ALL with aircraft and potential mechanical failures. It deals with the psychology of people that are inclined to take up flying - a personality trait of its own that indicates that we are all "risk-takers" and Alpha type people. It shows the dangers of flying from the perspective of our personalities, and demonstrates the tragic outcomes when we crash and burn in perfectly serviceable aircraft. The stats in that book show that most GA aviation tragedies has got nothing to do with aircraft failure, but poor decision making. And that decision making is spurred by our senses of invincibility and superiority. The fact that you fly, already indicates your propensity to make ego - driven decisions. We have to guard ourselves, against ourselves. We are inherently "risk takers".
If you have not read "Avoiding Fatal Flying Traps" - do it as soon as possible. You will become aware of the danger within yourself, and judge situations better - subdueing your lust for recognition by peers / bystanders....