I am the Pilot that has posted these videos, Wow, what a critical bunch on this thread that needs some clairifications.
1. Flying low over calm water in a twin engine airplane is not "unsafe" there are no power poles or power lines, towers or other obstructions. FAA regulations allow you to fly over desolate areas and over open bodies of water as low as you want as long as you keep 500 feet from any person, object or structure.
2. I keep the "500 foot string" from these items when I fly, the GoPro camera is on the narrow view setting that makes objects seem closer.
3. The tight turn to runway 33 is common here in Oakland as many times the tower will instruct you to keep north of runway 28R.
4. Yes, I have overshot some runway centerlines, it happens on occasion when your entering the pattern at a high speed, HOWEVER I have situation awareness as to other possible traffic. On the occasion when I overflew 28R in Oakland the left runway was closed for 6 months for repair.
5. The tower was in error when calling low altitude alert on my approach, refer to the chart and you will see this is fact. PLUS I already broke out and was cleared for sidestep to runway 33.
6. The steep stepdowns in the VOR approach is not unusual as is is a "non precision" approach and the goal is to get to the MDA and wait for the next stepdown in order to " break out".
7. My intent is never to "buzz houses", in the Mendocino Video I purposely made the climb over the forest clear of houses.
8. As far as flying low and fast close to the ground when in steep turns, it pays to know your aircraft and it's abilty to maneuver at all speeds. Someday when you least expect it you will need it.
9. I am never "behind the airplane" it just might appear that way to some un-informed persons.
10. One can get complacent always landng on long runways, I like to keep "sharp" and take the short runway when possible.
11. When I fly with passengers it's like "Driving Miss Daisy" for the comfort of my passengers.
12. My plane if very stable and "not out of rig" any turbelence is magnified by the camera.
14. There is no "13" because it's bad luck to be superstitious
15. I am not "documenting" any poor approaches, in the "real world" going 200 Knots can cause you to get off centerline sometimes, it's not good to practice approaches in a slow single at 90 Knots in controlled conditions.
16. I am not acting like a flight instructor, I am trying to share some of my flying experience with others who appreciate it and hope they can learn from it, as pilots we never stop learning.
17. Nothing posted is "evidence" against me as I might fly close to the edge BUT I make it a point to not violate any regulations, you can see this if you watch most of my videos.
18, I have 2200 hours in that plane and been flying for 30 years, so yes I am close to being an "expert pilot" in that aircraft.
For the many of you who watch my videos and enjoy them I hope they are informative and make you better pilots.
