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Posted by Roy
Fear of flying is the fear of being on an aircraft while in flight. This phobia is referred to as aerophobia, aviotophobia or aviophobia. Nowadays air travel is difficult to avoid by tourists and business people. It currently affects a significant minority of travelers. and is manifested in extreme cases by severe panic attacks and even vomiting at the mention of aircraft or air travel.
The fear may be caused by various other phobias, such as fear of closed spaces such as the aircraft cabin (claustrophobia) fear of heights (acrophobia) fear of panic attacks and the inability to escape without difficulty or embarrassment. Fear of aircraft failure and crashes.
Travel fears are very common but there are remedies available. These include:
Psychotherapy by clinical psychologists (UK) or cognitive behavioral
therapists (USA)
Stress therapy such as transcendental meditation
Hypnotherapy
Psychoactive medication such as relaxant or depressant drugs prescribed by your doctor
Confronting the fear directly – sometimes referred to as desensitization.
Self help
“Fear of Flying” courses provided by the major airlines.
As an ex-Pilot, my own personal choice, in the first instance, would be self help and/ or a Fear of Flying course.
Self Help is simply educating one’s self about the realities of aviation. Learning about how aircraft are flown, understanding what certain sounds mean and knowing that turbulence will not destroy an aircraft, will ease many fears. The simple goal in self help is to reassure yourself that you are not merely comfortable - but safe. Here are some initial facts:
Flying is the safest form of modern transportation. The cost and duration of training pilots in a major airline is comparable with that of a doctor.
Engine failure does not mean that the aircraft will crash. In reality, engines move the aircraft through the air or maintain altitude and most modern airliners will glide without engines. A “Jumbo Jet” can lose two of its four engines and fly quite safely.
Back-up systems are provided for almost all systems and computers handle autopilots and all necessary functions. After all, when did your family car’s engine stop in the middle of a journey.
Commercial aircraft average 12 hours in maintenance on the ground for every hour in the air.
Commercial aircraft fly within “Highways in the Sky” (Airways) which are 10 miles wide and aircraft are kept apart by Air Traffic Controllers who have undergone 3-4 years training and who are limited to 5 hour shifts with regular breaks.
Standard airline policy is to avoid thunderstorms by at least 20 miles. Radar systems in the nose of the aircraft warn pilots of the presence of these storms. Turbulence may be uncomfortable but is not a problem. It is measured in “ g-force” and 0.4g is considered “severe.” Modern airliners are required to fly without problems at 2.0g, although manufacturers build aircraft to withstand 4.0-6.0g.
Sounds heard on takeoff or landing are simply the mechanical operation
of flying controls and undercarriage being lowered or retracted. “Bumping” on the runway does not mean a flat tyre! The nose wheel will often make contact with the raised reflectors along the centre of the runway.
“Smoke” issuing from the air vents in the cabin is simply condensation as the cooling air provided for your comfort meets the hot air in the cabin.
These are a few of the issues you may investigate in your self education programme.
“Fear of Flying” courses are provided by most major airlines. They involve a seminar led by a senior airline pilot, group discussions, followed by an actual flight.
Finally, with fears conquered, and if your journey does involve a flight, de-stress by planning ahead, arrive early at the airport and do avoid alcohol.
Travel Advice would appreciate hearing from readers with personal experience and success stories about their “Fear of Flying”
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