Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Matt Ryan of AVweb sits down with Sam Rutherford, a pilot who specializes in long-distance, single-engine ferry flights. Sam shares his fascinating journey from flying helicopters in the British Army to navigating some of the most complex and dangerous airspace in the world.In this interview, Sam breaks down his philosophy of "stealing bases" when it comes to dealing with unpredictable weather. He also shares incredible stories from the cockpit, including an unexpected invitation to a four-day wedding in Sudan , navigating closed airspace in the Middle East , getting intercepted by an F-18 near a US aircraft carrier , and surviving a terrifying double computer failure on a diesel Piper over the freezing North Atlantic.Despite the risks, Sam explains why he refuses to live life "in cotton wool" and encourages everyone to chase their aviation dreams.
Follow Sam’s Journeys:
Instagram: instagram.com/neophile.me
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013665515791
00:00 - Introduction: Meet Ferry Pilot Sam Rutherford
01:11 - Getting Started: From Army Helicopters to Transatlantic Flights
03:53 - Flight Planning: Why Sam Uses the "Stealing Bases" Strategy
05:21 - The Best Part of the Job: A Dry Wedding in Sudan
08:25 - Why Sam Rarely Flies Solo
10:11 - Single-Engine Over the Ocean: Managing the Risk
13:09 - Geopolitics: Dodging Carrier Groups & an F-18 Intercept
21:46 - Mayday Over the Ice: Surviving a Double FADEC Failure
30:15 - Final Thoughts: Living as a "Neophile"
Matt Ryan of AVweb sits down with Sam Rutherford, a pilot who specializes in long-distance, single-engine ferry flights. Sam shares his fascinating journey from flying helicopters in the British Army to navigating some of the most complex and dangerous airspace in the world.In this interview, Sam breaks down his philosophy of "stealing bases" when it comes to dealing with unpredictable weather. He also shares incredible stories from the cockpit, including an unexpected invitation to a four-day wedding in Sudan , navigating closed airspace in the Middle East , getting intercepted by an F-18 near a US aircraft carrier , and surviving a terrifying double computer failure on a diesel Piper over the freezing North Atlantic.Despite the risks, Sam explains why he refuses to live life "in cotton wool" and encourages everyone to chase their aviation dreams.
Follow Sam’s Journeys:
Instagram: instagram.com/neophile.me
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013665515791
00:00 - Introduction: Meet Ferry Pilot Sam Rutherford
01:11 - Getting Started: From Army Helicopters to Transatlantic Flights
03:53 - Flight Planning: Why Sam Uses the "Stealing Bases" Strategy
05:21 - The Best Part of the Job: A Dry Wedding in Sudan
08:25 - Why Sam Rarely Flies Solo
10:11 - Single-Engine Over the Ocean: Managing the Risk
13:09 - Geopolitics: Dodging Carrier Groups & an F-18 Intercept
21:46 - Mayday Over the Ice: Surviving a Double FADEC Failure
30:15 - Final Thoughts: Living as a "Neophile"
