Overcoming fear of flying?

Question

all my life since i was a young kid, ive wanted to be an airline pilot! i think it would be the coolest job in the world. i am an aeronautical engineering student currently. i flown on airliners before but not since 1997. that last time was a bumpy ride, but really, that is no big deal, just turbulence, seems worse than it actually is. im really not scared of flying on commercial jets, but the small private planes, i am! scared completely of them, and they are probably safer! i think part of it is knowing only 1 engine and clusterphobia. id like to start flight training, but am too scared to get into a small plane. ive never flown in one before, but i want to, but afraid of the heights while flying in it, possibly engine problems, etc? how do i conquer this problem of mine?

Answer 1

make sure the seatbelt is on tight.....and HOLD ON! lol

doing it once successful should help a great deal...the first time is probably going to be the hardest and scariest, but after that its all fun im sure

Answer 2

No need to fly a big plane to be a real pilot....just buy a plane with a controller...

Answer 3

Is your dream to fly? Then, that's enough. Plus, small planes are safe.

Answer 4

small aircraft are very safe, once you let go of your fear you will really enjoy it. Small airplanes even if you were to have an engine failure, which you never will. one of your first 10 lessons is called forced landings, where you practice landing without and engine. you can always glide and glide for a while. You will be practicing these forced landings for the rest of your license. dont be afraid

Answer 5

Flying isn't for everyone, but fear comes from the things we don't know, so if you take it slowly and start learning about it one step at a time, you'll be fine. Small single engine planes are also very safe and reliable, so there is very little to worry about. In fact, 99% of private accidents are due to "pilot error" and catastrophic mechanical failures are very, very rare. While I also fly large aircraft, I've made thousands of flights in small planes, much of it at night or in remote wilderness, or over dangerous mountain terrain. I have never once had an engine problem that was even remotely serious.

Go out to a local airport and meet an instructor. Explain your trepidation. Start out by just sitting in a small plane, walking around  it and looking at the various components closely while the instructor explains things to you. Maybe taxi around in it a little bit to get used to the sight / sound / smell of things. You'll find that they are not as claustrophobic as being stuffed inside an airliner with a hundred other people. The view alone will make you forget about the small cabin. When you're brave enough, maybe take a short hop around the airport...5 or 10 minutes at most. Have your instructor stay close to the field so you can land quickly should it not agree with you.

Go up in a low-wing aircraft if possible. I've taught dozens of people to fly over the years and have found that people with a fear of heights are usually more comfortable flying in a low-wing airplane at first. I have actually had some students who were so apprehensive in the beginning they would throw up just from being so nervous, but they stuck with it and the apprehension eventually went away after a few lessons.

If you have a good instructor who takes it easy with you, your fear of small planes will disappear quickly.  Have fun!