Agreed. Was she supposed to be military? If so then she was trained poorly. It's one thing about taking a few steps out but she went pretty far in the dark with zombies and where people could be there, like the same people that shot them down!
Maybe her people have been relatively sheltered... Alexandria had the same problem... the best fighters seem to come from those who had to wander the roads the longest. They seemed to marvel at Travis' fighting ability so maybe they haven't had much practical fighting experience with walkers. But yes... considering they were shot down, it was dumb for her to put herself in that vulnerable position.
Alexandria had at least a few people that would venture out. It just seems like this wasn't the first time for them. They travelled from ranch to base base to ranch..etc.. Their whole conversation about keeping watch wouldn't make sense. They made it like they have done this before. Perhaps you are right. Maybe she spent her whole time just flying a chopper.
I can think of only one reason why she would go so far away: because Luciana was badly hurt and sending a signal from far away would give Alicia and a good brother enough time to hide Luciana somewhere, or walk away with her. On the other hand it's stupid to take such a risk for some dying girl they just met.