Hi Step Turn,
I'd 'massage' your words a little more:
...with only the minimums of aircraft, and safety equipment, the result of bad luck can be (much) more serious.
Careful route planning can make life much easier (keeping all legs as short as absolutely possible for example). But yes, every take-off is a heavy one (lucky they're all at sea level and none are very hot at any time of year!).
Safe flights, Sam.