Fear of Heights? Flying planes?

Question

This summer, I went to NYC to visit my relatives. I was excited because they had this balloon ride in Central Park called AeroBalloon. I had never been on a balloon before.

It was actually really frightening because The instructor told me if I moved, the balloon would sway. And it did which was really scary...

I am wondering if I would still be able to fly a small plane (one passenger) when I am older, even though I was really scared during this experience?

My mom told me that it would be different because I would be sitting down, and I would have more control. Tell me what you think.

Answer 1

I too am not very fond of heights.  I was recently in NYC and atop Rockefeller Center trying to take a picture looking down.  It freaked me out and I knew I would only fall about 10 to the next level down.

That being said, I have no problems flying at 35,000 feet.

I think this because understand how gravity works and how Bernouli's principle works.  I just don't get that gut wrenching fear in the cockpit.  So, I don't think you'll necessarily have problems flying simply because you don't like heights.

Answer 2

Pilots who are afraid of heights are really very common.  I know of some guys in the early days who could not walk up the 20 foot ramp to the cockpit, even though flying at FL350 was no problem.  You can get over your fear, but you don't really have to in order to become a pilot.  Good luck.

Answer 3

As others said, there are plenty of pilots out there who are scared of heights...I'm one of them.  Even climbing a ladder to get onto the roof of my 1 story house makes me nervous, yet I had a long career as an airline pilot.  Somehow, it's just different in an airplane.

I've also met airline pilots who were very nervous when they first started learning to fly a small plane.  They eventually got over it.

Answer 4

A fear of heights, that's pretty common. I myself, am afraid of heights.

Actually, yes. Many people are scared of their first, seemingly uncontroled air ride. This includes roller coasters, airplanes take-offs, and just being high up.

Just  think of why the baloon swayed. It was because of a weight shift. When your on the air plane, i don't think you moving could cause it to sway. Plus the plane would be much safer since you would need to have a licence to fly it and you can trust yourself more than someone else.

Answer 5

You'll also be a little bit busier controlling the airplane and learning what to do, and enclosed in a cockpit.

Keep the vent air blowing on you and keep your mind occupied and you will have a good chance of getting used to it.  It comes down to a fight between fear of heights with weird motion, and the EWWW COOL THAT'S NEAT factor.  Everyone has varying degrees of what balance occurs.

Answer 6

There's no reason why a fear of heights should keep you from being able to fly an aircraft. I am a pilot and I actually have a strong fear of falling. For some reason it just doesn't bother me when I am flying, though. If you want to be a pilot, don't let something like a fear of heights get in your way.