Skyshattered

Beating Captain Skyshatter is was one of the more difficult (and frustrating) tasks you'll you would have to face solo in World of Warcraft.

Confirmed, eating a jam sandwich *really* helped. Thanks! :D

Tried the methods described in comments 5 or so times, usually failing within 30 seconds due to the chaos of the fire. Tried it by the one method possible to avoid them and got it on the second try.

Here's a strategy that will allow you to make progress from attempt to attempt, rather than relying on luck:

The idea is to keep ahead of him for most of the race. When he lifts off from the runway, he'll make a long 180 back to it. This gives you an easy opportunity to gain a lead on him right from the start. From this point on, travel in the same direction as him with your camera turned on him. When he starts turning, make a sharper cut in that direction (often times the turn keys will suffice - if they don't and you fall behind, remember to make a sharper or earlier cut at that point on next attempt).

Once you get used to the route he takes, it should become fairly easy to get to the point where he first returns over the Dragonmaw camp. Shortly after this, he'll fly up fairly high over a mountain and likely overtake you. Let him - just avoid the fire as he passes. At this point he'll fly around fairly sporadically, dropping fire all over the place. As long as you stay below and a decent bit behind him, they should be easy to avoid since he does not go very far in any direction. After this he'll make a short route back to base and you'll have your achievement.

Tips:
- Hide your interface.
- If you watch the head of his drake, you'll be able to see very clearly when/where he's turning.
- Stay roughly on the same level as him, unless you're anticipating a decline/incline on his part.
- He'll often hit himself with his fire. If you're ahead of him, briefly pause to avoid going too far.
- If he starts to catch up to you, he'll probably hit himself. If he does not, go under him as he passes (to avoid fire) and look to cut his next turn to regain a lead.
- If you get hit while ahead of him, there's a good chance he hit himself too - mount back up and keep at it unless you get the fail message.
- Keep your camera at max range (there's an option to allow your camera to extend even further back), and check in front of you every now and then to avoid running into an obstruction.
- Eat a jam sandwhich.