A thought:

Don't do anything in an aircraft that you are uncomfortable doing. But just because someone else does it, doesn't mean they're dangerous.

I am reminded of George Carlin talking about driving down the highway. Anyone going slower that you is an idiot, and anyone driving faster than you is a maniac

Anyone here who decides that the turnback is a bad idea for them, I support you 100%. Please don't do it. Don't let anyone else talk you into doing it.

Anyone here who imperiously decides that the turnback is a bad idea for everyone ... well ... you needed to learn more from George Carlin before he died.

What bothers everyone here is that flying can be technique intensive. This means that some people are better at it than others, and that offends their egos and sense of egalitarianism, which is HUGE in Canada.

But I like the fact that flying - and riding motorcycles, and writing software - is technique intensive. It rewards the skillful. There is an innate sense of justice there that I really relish, and is so lacking in so many other pursuits, where outright mediocrity is rewarded.

I am not sure of what you were inferring by making the point that because someone does something it does not make them dangerous. Of course it doesnt. I did not realize that we were so restricting this discussion.

I was referring to what I believe are the many many pilots who do not practice emergency manouvers on a regular basis. To the many private pilots that do not fly a bunch of hours each month, and to those that have never experienced a real gut wrenching emergency when it becomes apparent if things are not done exactly right you have a pretty good chance of being hurt or worse. As to the skills needed to actually do the turnback.. Suffice it to say, in my opinion it does not require any above average skills. What does require above average skill is being able to analyze very quickly should the need arise whether the conditions make it possible to do , and if that is the best course of action.

in my opinion it does not require any above average skills

Well, there's one, anyways

There are few black and white problems in aviation. I would suggest the turnback is one area where the "right" answer is heavily dependent on individual circumstances.
The accident record is clear. EFATO's followed by a turnback are many times more likely to result in a fatal accident than EFATO's followed by a straight ahead landing.
If you want the option of the low altitude turnback than I would suggest than you have to have the discipline to attain and then maintain the aircraft control skills required for this manoever. This in my opinion is a non trivial commitment. I am a great believer in increasing pilot proficiency but the reality I think your average recreational pilot can achieve more useful safety and proficiency practicing a lot of other flying techniques rather than perfecting the turnback manoever.

I think this thread has run its course, but I hope the varying opinions gave some food for thought to many avcanada readers

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