[1][2][4] In 1987, the summer after graduating college, Anderson and his friend Steve Baker planned a marathon canoe trip from Duluth to York Factory on the Hudson Bay.

Distant Fires was widely received by the local community at the time of its release—the Duluth News Tribune describing it as a marvelous "voyage of discovery"—and went on to win Anderson the American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults Award in 1991.

[2] He then moved from the United States to Salzburg, Austria to play professional American football, before returning to become a pilot flying F-16s for the Air National Guard and flight instructing with Duluth's 179th Fighter Squadron.

He was named director of flight operations along with chief test pilot for the company, contributing his efforts to the early developmental stages of the Cirrus SR20 single-engine four-seat composite aircraft.

[5][13] Anderson worked closest on the project with fellow Cirrus test pilot Gary Black,[3] who also formerly flew jets for the military, as well as the company's chief engineer, Paul Johnston, who played a crucial role in the design process of the CAP system.

He deployed the parachute multiple times during dives and spins, to simulate recovery after a midair collision or after spatial disorientation, and from level flight to resemble engine failure.

[14][21] Anderson was about 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) from Duluth International Airport at the start of the flight when he radioed the control tower that he was returning due to a problem.

Congressman from Minnesota Jim Oberstar paid tribute to Anderson shortly after his death on the floor of the House Chamber, calling him a "hero" and a "pioneer in general aviation".

[5] Cirrus Aircraft co-founder and former CEO Dale Klapmeier spoke at Anderson's induction into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame on 24 April 2010, stating, "Scott was an exemplary pilot and person.

During his tenure at Cirrus, he made considerable contributions to the company, the industry, and aviation safety that many people still benefit from today… To date, 17 CAPS deployments have saved 35 lives due to Scott's pioneering work.

"[17] Klapmeier also acknowledged Anderson while accepting the Collier Trophy on behalf of the Cirrus Vision Jet team in 2018, as the pilot who "grabbed that handle and pulled the chute for the first time.”[22] Anderson has been referenced multiple times in national articles and columns such as The Atlantic and The New York Times Magazine by journalist, author and former speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter, James Fallows,[14][15][21] who in a 2007 article called him a "Renaissance man" and "beloved, charismatic figure in Duluth".