1. Turbulence may feel
uncomfortable, but it is normal.
People often misunderstand turbulence resulting in a fear of flying. When
encountering turbulence, nervous passengers feel the plane is "falling" out of
the sky. It is natural for them to only feel the "down" bumps. But for every
"down" there is an "up" bump. The "downs" are just more easily noticed. Next
time you are driving on a bumpy road, imagine you are a passenger on a plane and
how you would consider it to be "bad" turbulence. Now take a look at the road.
How big are the bumps on the roadway to create the rough ride? The air is
usually very smooth. But sometimes some small ripples can make it feel like
"bad" turbulence!
Turbulence Video Please note : you may need to click twice on the videos in order to view
them.
Load speed is determined by your internet download speed which is out of our
control.
2. The plane is
strong, stable, reliable, and well maintained. The FAA mandates that modern jet aircraft are designed and built with large
safety margins. All aircraft and their equipment are built from FAA approved
designs and manufactured under FAA approved systems. Coming out of the factory,
the planes are thoroughly flight tested before certification by the FAA.
Structurally, these aircraft can withstand many times the stresses and forces
which can be imposed upon them in flight. Remember, airplanes are MEANT to be in
the air. That’s where they’re happiest!
Fear of Flying Video- Prepare to Fly
3. Trust the well
trained and experienced crew.
When you board the plane mention to the flight attendants that sometimes you get
a little nervous about flying, and ask if you may visit with the pilots. This is
very important! The pilots are happy to have visitors, the flight attendants
know this. You might be surprised at how receptive the pilots will be. Ask
questions and mention your nervousness, they will understand and reassure you.
The pilot's confidence is contagious. Now you have a friend up front who knows
and cares about you! But remember, visits to the cockpit can ONLY be made on the
ground, not during taxi or in flight. From FAA Personnel, to Air Traffic
Controllers, to Aircraft Mechanics, to the Flight Crew, there is no industry in
the world with better trained, tested, skilled, and motivated professionals than
the people in the airline industry.
4. You can trust the
airline industry. The FAA insures your safe and secure flying experience by monitoring,
inspecting, drug testing, and certifying the people who work in safety related
areas of aviation. Aviation is "black and white". There are no "maybes". Either
it is 100% safe, or we don't do it. You may have heard the saying, "Safety is no
accident". Each worker takes pride in his or her own work and keeps an eye on
others. Because we understand the importance of our work on the safety of
others, we will not tolerate anything less than perfection!
For the Airline Industry Video - music by the late Israel Kamakawiwo Ole'
5. Flying is routine,
here's proof. Many people take comfort in going to the local airport to watch all the planes
takeoff and land. After a while you begin to see that the flight operations are
indeed routine. Others like to study the ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE monitors in the
airport terminal to see just how many flights operate safely. Did you know that
worldwide nearly 3 million passengers fly every day?
6. Positive Thinking.
Always try to keep your thoughts in the present. Keep your thoughts positive.
When you catch yourself thinking negatively, stop, and concentrate on the
positive. Many people dwell on what might happen instead of what is happening.
It can be easy to play a "disaster movie" in your mind and you are the in the
starring role! When you catch yourself starting the production of one of these
imaginary "disaster movies" turn off the projector. Try to occupy your mind with
something more constructive. Read, do a puzzle, strike up a conversation.
Flying Without Fear Video
7. Tense Your Muscles.
Be aware of your body. When you feel muscles that are tense or tight, you can
relax them. Instead of fighting the tightness, show your muscles whose boss! You
tense your muscles! You take control! Go ahead and tighten your stomach muscles
or your leg muscles. Then pause and let go. You will be surprised at how your
muscles feel warm and relaxed, and you once again feel in control.
8. Overactive
Imagination.
Quite often people who have a fear of flying also have a strong or overactive
imagination. For example, they might hear an unfamiliar noise during the flight,
and begin imagining what might be wrong with the plane to cause this noise. Or,
they may believe in "signs" or "premonitions" that their plane will crash. For
example, they might have a dream, or hear a song on the radio about a plane
crash. Odds are, you are not psychic! Remind yourself of this fact, and focus on
reality.
9. How to deal with
nervous feelings. When you feel afraid, your breathing quickens and your heart races. To calm
yourself, first push your stomach outward. Take a slow, deep breath through your
nose. Try to fill your lungs from the bottom up. Pause, and then exhale slowly.
Do this a couple of times and you'll feel much better. Practice your controlled
breathing whenever you can. Try it whenever you feel tense. Slow, deep breathing
is the easiest and most effective method for calming yourself.
10. Even if you feel
panicky during flight, it cannot hurt you or cause you to lose control.
Remember that fear is a normal reaction to a perceived threat. Once you learn
the threat really isn't dangerous, the fear naturally goes away. Fear itself is
not harmful, it is meant to protect us. A panic attack will not make you have a
heart attack, faint, or lose control. That is how we are programmed. Fear acts
as our defence mechanism. It prepares us to fight or flight.
Don’t let fear hold you back from achieving everything you want to – let
Geoff Thompson show you how to make fear your friend.
Once a doorman at some of Britain’s roughest nightclubs and now a world-renowned
martial artist, Geoff Thompson has had more to be frightened of than most. Here
he shares his secrets for overcoming your fears to help you live life to the
max. From spiders to public speaking, job interviews, fear of flying to physical
conflict, Geoff takes you through proven techniques of combating whatever it is
you’re afraid of.
Fear of flying is brought to you by Malcolm Jones Ex
flying phobia victim- Ex wimp - The Overseas Living Group
"I have flown from the UK to America on 3 occasions, Spain many times
and now plan a trip to Australia at the end of this year.........I
actually enjoy flying now I've combated my fear of flying"
Quote : Malcolm Jones Cardiff UK
Would you like to comment on this article?
Please leave your message using the following form.
