by adrenalinebottle

Created on: August 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Is flying really "this" intimidating?
If so, how do we overcome our fear of flying?
-

As a child, I was fortunate enough to enjoy the luxury of spending my holidays travelling abroad every year. Going overseas meant that flying was inevitable. Each and every time I walked into the aircraft, I experienced a certain restriction of being "locked up" within an area. Of course, the idea of flying up tens of thousands of feet high and being cooped in a "small plane", as compared to the vast sky, is certainly frightening.

Furthermore, when the plane begins to takeoff, one can feel the power of the engines. The deafening roar emitted, even to the extent of causing the entire aircraft to vibrate violently. Thoughts would often race through my mind: "Would we be able to lift up?", "What if the plane can't fly up and overshoots of the runway?"

Well, this presents one of the most thrilling yet fearful times when we take flight. Even in the air, turbulence is inevitable. Nasty ideas are often formulated during fight: "What if the engines malfunction?", "What if the wing breaks?", "What if the pilots are incapable of controlling the aircraft?"

Finally, as we touch down, we can really feel the plane going at incredible speed. Even the wings are trembling incredibly.

-

Now, allow me to calm each and every one of you down, and explain the extent of the safety of flying.

First, we must understand that planes are controlled or piloted by humans. By taking a flight, we are indirectly entrusting our lives to pilots, and their cool gadgets. Well, if you really comprehend flying, not everything about it causes us to shriek. In fact, flying is, after all, not that intimidating.

Think these:-

1) Pilots have complex systems to assist them in flying the aircraft. (GPS Navigational Displays, Fuel Readings, Vertical-Horizon Systems, Throttle controls, Runway maps, Compasses, any more others!

2) Thousands of hours in the air are mandatory before one assumes the position of a Captain.

3) Pilots don't only fly in the air! They fly in flight simulators too! The flight simulators simulate various circumstances, allowing pilots to learn the various ways of adaptating to challenges posed to them in the air.

4) Pilots have the assistance of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) worldwide in navigating and taking off/landing.

Other ways besides comforting yourself with these ideas are:-

1) Pop a sweet! Pop the fear!

2) Go for airlines with inflight entertainment. Distract yourself with the cool movies/games!

Nevertheless, everything we do in life comes along with risks and dangers. Why don't we just sit back, relax, and enjoy our lives?

Learn more about this author, adrenalinebottle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.