After ditching a Long EZ near Shoreham I researched ditching stats and to my surprise found that over 90% of ditchings are survivable...I have flown SEP between Shoreham & Alderney about 30 times a year for the last 6 years. Two Alderney based aircraft have ditched and the occupants were all over 60 and they survived the initial impact but sadly one died after going back into the aircraft to get something. Some ex Fleet Air Arm pilots of similar age survived a ditching near the Scilly Isles several years ago. Claude Graham-White ditched in the Channel during WW1 and spent several hours in the water as did many airman in WW2. Wear a life jacket and carry a life-raft and plenty of gear...PROTECTION, LOCATION, WATER, FOOD.
