My original intent with the "as reliable as a car engine" was that I would prefer the engine to be as dependable as the 2.5l one in my BMW rather than the 1.3l one in my Triumph Spitfire! I have no qualms about driving anywhere in my 104,000 mile BMW but I have my doubts about driving to work in the Spit as I don't feel that my arrival is guaranteed! I regard my Auster in much the same way as I do the Spit even though it has never let me down in a big way. I certainly have my doubt about flying over any large bodies of water even though a lot of members of the Auster Club regularly attended fly-ins in France and Holland. Maybe it's my perception of danger that needs revisiting here!