When did I say I can't actually keep the airplane from hitting something without seeing my wingtips? I didn't. You are just so quick to assume that you know everything and everyone else is a moron that you think you can put words in my mouth.
You're the one whining about not having wings covered in seran wrap, mate. Your words. Live with them or eat them. Your choice.
Once in 250 hours is hardly routine.
Wow. With your attitude, one might think you had 25,000 hard earned hours.
I thought most air tankers were multi-engine with none up front.
You thought wrong, didn't you? What did you just say about "don't assume?"
The majority of the tanker fleet are Type III and IV tankers: single engine air tankers (SEATs). I was in one of them, and given that it had one engine, and given that the reason for the power loss was complete loss of engine oil, and given that I was directly behind the engine...you figure it out.
Lucky for you that there were no trees.
There were trees. And really big rocks. And power lines, and vehicles...and let's not forget the damn mountain...that was on fire.
I said "Lucky", not necessarily "skillful", nor knowledgeable.
Yes, you did, didn't you?
What would you know about that, at 250 hours?