For those with fear of flying, which part of the flight is the scariest?

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• Thanks for the answer. Trust me, I'm an airline pilot, you're safe.

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  by Fly Forever on April 23rd, 2008

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• Yeah i reckon !!!

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  by Anonymous on October 25th, 2007

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• Thanks for the answer. Few words of comfort - as a pilot, I often don't even notice turbulence, to me its the same thing as hitting a few minor bumps on the highway. Displacement of the car is never more than a foot or so; just like displacement of the aircraft is rarely more than 30 feet. Autopilot corrects it without input or if we're flying, its a simple jab on the rudder pedal to correct it. Flying is the safest transport, if you have any questions that have come up in flights, feel free to ask me.

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  by Fly Forever on January 2nd, 2008

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• Its all about this: Generating enough lift to overcome weight and gaining enough speed to overcome the drag. Just a note to add as well, finally someone who realizes that between takeoff and landing, takeoff is more dangerous. (when I say dangerous, don't get me wrong, flying is extremely safe, but I'm talking in terms of risk factor) Its much easier to allow the weight and drag of the plane to sit it down on the runway than it is to overcome those forces to make it airborne.

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  by Fly Forever on November 6th, 2007

• Personally, I am not afraid to fly and log over 50,000 miles a year but those that are afraid usually have their greatest fear on takeoff and greatest joy/releief on landing.
  
  Great explanation on the dynamics though--thanks1

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  by THE TRAVEL SLUT on November 7th, 2007

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• Good point.

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  by Fly Forever on August 20th, 2009

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• Thanks for the answer. Personally, I think the best solution to helping a fearful flier is to allow them to ride in the jumpseat. This is difficult to comeby these days, but I've been known to sneak one in every so often.

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  by Fly Forever on April 23rd, 2008

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• Thanks... hmmm sudden stop not likely to be remembered.....

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  by Fly Forever on April 23rd, 2008

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• Thanks for the answer! Takeoff could be somewhat unpredictable, but not normally. Pilots have a list of speeds, altitudes, and waypoints to hit during takeoff and climbout. It becomes slightly challenging when ATC changes it, but we don't sweat it. Lastly, planes are safe and very dynamically proportional, capable of numerous manuevers, whether it be climbing, yawing, or banking. As a pilot, I'm often curious what parts of flight make people the most nervous.

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  by Fly Forever on January 5th, 2008

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• Heres a little secret from the cockpit, the seatbelt sign is a small switch right above the captain on the overhead panel, it has three positions, it can be set OFF ON AUTO. If you leave it on AUTO, as do most pilots, the light will go off at 10,000 feet and come on automatically when the flight director computor detects turbulence. Sometimes, it will ping the seatbelt on without me even noticing the turbulence. I'm curious, what updates would you like the pilot to give during flight that would set you more at ease?

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  by Fly Forever on January 2nd, 2008

• I would like reassurance that it is just normal turbulence and nothing major. When you hear nothing, you see people looking around and thinking is everything okay? Especially us nervous fliers. I am not saying I need an update on every single bit of turbulence, but just when it gets extra bumpy. It just puts your mind at ease and we know no-one has taken over the plane or that we are heading for a crash. : )
  Thanks for the update on the auto seatbelt light, I was not aware of this. Also I am curious why every flight I have had from America to England has been extra bumpy? Coming from England to the USA always seems smoother. However most flights back are night flights and this could be the reason? I have too much time to worry, the flight attendants leave you to sleep on night flights, as you know.

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  by JnT on January 2nd, 2008

• No particular route is more bumpy than the other, it may be more noticeable because you are allowed to sleep and left alone. I think what would be good for you is to sit in the jumpseat with the pilots. I once allowed a nervous unaccompanied minor to do this and it set her at much ease. (regulations do not allow this but I snuck it)

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  by Fly Forever on January 3rd, 2008

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• Thanks for the answer (sorry for delayed comment) Rain worries me in flight the same way it does a bus driver on the highway. Aircraft are extremely tough and have spine straightening power capability. Rain is rarely a concern, even during landings. I try to keep passengers as much at ease as possible when I fly.

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  by Fly Forever on January 2nd, 2008

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• Thanks for the answer, interesting.... but rest assure that if the conditions are bad, we aren't looking out the window to find where we are going. Our flight instruments and navigation systems can find the airport, tell us where we are, and let ATC know exactly what we are doing. It is possible and common to have no visibility on the climb out of the airport and also possible to land the plane in next to zero visibility with ILS. (Instrument Landing System)

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  by Fly Forever on October 25th, 2007

• That's a relief :)

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  by Byakko on October 25th, 2007

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• This is not an uncommon fear for people to have. As an airline pilot, my advice is to first ask yourself why you are afraid of putting your feet down on the floor at high altitude? Is it a fear of heights, a fear of falling, perhaps a fear of dying? I think a second part that will really help you, is if you understand how the aircraft flies and work on a basic knowledge of flight and aircraft operation procedure. Often, knowledge is power, so if you appreciate why the aircraft can do what it does, and why it can safely do so in even the most adverse of conditions, you will have nothing to be afraid of. Furthermore, most of the time the cockpit door is open during boarding. If I'm done with my preflight checks, sometimes I'll wait in the doorway and if someone has a question or is nervous, I'll invite them into the cockpit to talk to both of us. This often puts you at ease. Lets have a conversation on the comments here and see what we can accomplish!

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  by Fly Forever on July 27th, 2009

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• Thanks for the answer. Most people are afraid of landing, but if you consider in terms of risk, takeoff is worse. Most problems do occur on takeoff, but don't worry! Flying is extremely safe, when I say risk, (if that exists) we're looking at such a small number that it is nearly negative.

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  by Fly Forever on April 23rd, 2008

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• Thanks for the answer. Sounds to be a rather interesting experience.

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  by Fly Forever on April 23rd, 2008

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• An excellent answer for anyone afraid of flying. I personally have no fear of flying, I asked this question to see what plagues the fearful flier. I am actually an airline pilot. Thanks for a great answer!

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  by Fly Forever on November 29th, 2008

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