Having never particularly flown myself, I wouldn't say that would be the first thing to pop in my mind, but yes I understand that it would be more expeditious.

[Well this was turning out to be a rather awkward encounter all things considered]

Well, yes and no. There was no specific agenda for slaying all the dragons. It was a arrogant and short sighted policy by my grandfather Sozin in which a firebender could gain personal honour by slaying a dragon in single combat, thereby gaining the title of 'dragon'.