An absolute fear of flying.. again!
Discussion
Ok, I have never flown, and I know I would be absolutely petrified sat at the end of the runway waiting to take off! I'm also pertrified of rollercoasters, and I imagine that the acceleration on take off would be the same sensation!
Then once in the air I would be terrified of crashing, or worse, knowing you are going to crash 30 minutes in advance!
Has anybody else been in this situation and then flown? How have you achieved it? medication?
I am aware of this type of course.. http://flyingwithoutfear.info/index.htm
Please don't reply if you do fly but are anxious, no offence intended, but it is a slightly different situation!
Oh, and I am involved in the manufacture of parts for the aviation industry, so I do know the way a plane operates!
Thanks in advance
Then once in the air I would be terrified of crashing, or worse, knowing you are going to crash 30 minutes in advance!
Has anybody else been in this situation and then flown? How have you achieved it? medication?
I am aware of this type of course.. http://flyingwithoutfear.info/index.htm
Please don't reply if you do fly but are anxious, no offence intended, but it is a slightly different situation!
Oh, and I am involved in the manufacture of parts for the aviation industry, so I do know the way a plane operates!
Thanks in advance
Yes, I have this problem as well.
I actually went on a fear of flying course presented excellently by BA, 15 years ago. The course assured me that the plane can take quite a lot of extreme situations and the wings are designed to bend all near vertical.
But the problem is the knowledge that situations can arise that have nothing to do with the machine capabilities!
I fly ONLY when I can not drive, ride the train or boat. How do I do it? I make peace with myself and prepare myself for death and accept what comes. I know that's probably not helpful, but that OR discovering faith in the pilot, machine, security detection of bombs and terrorists, is the only way!
Good luck.
I actually went on a fear of flying course presented excellently by BA, 15 years ago. The course assured me that the plane can take quite a lot of extreme situations and the wings are designed to bend all near vertical.
But the problem is the knowledge that situations can arise that have nothing to do with the machine capabilities!
I fly ONLY when I can not drive, ride the train or boat. How do I do it? I make peace with myself and prepare myself for death and accept what comes. I know that's probably not helpful, but that OR discovering faith in the pilot, machine, security detection of bombs and terrorists, is the only way!
Good luck.
Flown twice (Spain & back) and absolutley shat myself. Spent the entire two weeks crapping it about the return flight (had actual panic attacks) and haven't flown since.
I know I will have to again one day but really don't know how I can.
Not sure any of that helps but your not the only one.
I know I will have to again one day but really don't know how I can.
Not sure any of that helps but your not the only one.
davepoth said:
Legacywr said:
The trouble is that this isn't a phobia, it's a rational fear!
No it's not. You are far more likely to die in a car crash on the way to the airport than in a plane crash. And you aren't afraid of being the passenger in a car are you?Legacywr said:
Sorry, that's not true! Yes one is more likely to die in a car crash, but that is because we all spend more time in a car than flying. So statistics would show that you are much more likely to die in a plane crash than the drive to the airport!
Stats not a strong point eh?Pauses for breath....thinks well this is pistonheads and jumps in
1. Just man up, its only flying
2. It is safer than driving, ignoring obvious stats its goes something like this, if you took a flight a day then the average person would need to fly for over 50 years before he was involved in an accident which even then he would be 90% likely to survive!
3. Man up, its only flying
Legacywr said:
Some of you need to read my O/P!
I think you need to read the OP and realise how it sounds, and also maybe not chastise those who try to help you.You've never done it, yet you are scared of it, how do you know? I hate roller coasters, but love flying, I have obviously done both to know this!
Legacywr said:
Sorry, that's not true! Yes one is more likely to die in a car crash, but that is because we all spend more time in a car than flying. So statistics would show that you are much more likely to die in a plane crash than the drive to the airport!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_safety#StatisticsPer passenger hour, Flying is safer. Per passenger kilometre, flying is safer. While per journey it's safer to drive, a journey in a car could be a minute down the road to the newsagent at 15mph and you would most likely need to drive head first into a scaffolding pole at that speed to die. If you were going on an international journey, it's orders of magnitude more safe to fly.
PHobias are tough (see what I did there?) and no amount of rationalisation are going to make you feel comfortable about flying. There may be courses, medication or hypnotherapy that could help you - let's see if others have practical experience.
What I can say is that whereas I feel nervous about fairground rides, which are designed to scare people, flying in any large modern aeroplane isn't particularly exhilarating. To put it into perspective, 0-60 in 5 seconds, a lap around a race circuit, or riding pillion on a motorbike are all more likely to get your adrenaline flowing.
Maybe there's somewhere you can try a real flight simulator? A very quick search found a 1 hour flightsim at Heathrow etc but it's £660, but there must be cheaper ones out there.
The only times I've felt nervous on a plane are when it was a tiny little turboprop to the channel islands (a bus with 2 wings welded on) or when the weather has been really bad. Perhaps you could grit your teeth, wait for nice weather, and fly to Paris/Belgium on an Airbus... you'll be landing just after you've taken off.
Good luck.
What I can say is that whereas I feel nervous about fairground rides, which are designed to scare people, flying in any large modern aeroplane isn't particularly exhilarating. To put it into perspective, 0-60 in 5 seconds, a lap around a race circuit, or riding pillion on a motorbike are all more likely to get your adrenaline flowing.
Maybe there's somewhere you can try a real flight simulator? A very quick search found a 1 hour flightsim at Heathrow etc but it's £660, but there must be cheaper ones out there.
The only times I've felt nervous on a plane are when it was a tiny little turboprop to the channel islands (a bus with 2 wings welded on) or when the weather has been really bad. Perhaps you could grit your teeth, wait for nice weather, and fly to Paris/Belgium on an Airbus... you'll be landing just after you've taken off.
Good luck.
I love the silly sideways landings, makes you feel alive. 
OP, think about what it is about flying that scares you. It's likely to not actually be the crashing - that's normal, everybody's a little bit scared (at least aware of the possibility) of crashing, it's not nice and it can happen. But it's more likely that there's something else in particular, quite possibly the lack of control for an extended period.
OP, think about what it is about flying that scares you. It's likely to not actually be the crashing - that's normal, everybody's a little bit scared (at least aware of the possibility) of crashing, it's not nice and it can happen. But it's more likely that there's something else in particular, quite possibly the lack of control for an extended period.
Let me try and give some advice.
I was petrified of flying. So petrified that i never went on one, much like yourself. I have suffered panic attacks in the past and i was convinced i would end up having one if i went on a plane.
Anyway, my gf of 3 years at the time kept on and on (in a nice way,trying to persuade me). I eventually agreed. First flight was to Florida, so in at the deep end at over 8hrs in one hit. I also smoke too which worried me not being able to smoke for so long.
I was 27 before i went on the first flight. I'll list the things which i use to comfort myself.
There are air hostesses on a plane. These people fly pretty much every day, if it was as dangerous as you think or i thought it wouldn't be legal for these people to do what they do. This is the main thing to think about!
Have a look around- theres kids on the plane, old people, young adults, people so fat they are squished in - if they are ok then i should be ok to right? Yes you are alright!
If theres a plane crash then bad luck BUT ITS THE SAFEST FORM OF TRAVEL, tell yourself that, i bet you travel by car or by train? Well statistically they are dangerous.
Finally you are missing out big time, you want to see nice places and experience things? Well sadly we need to fly.
Seriously i was terrified and now guess what? I actually ask to go by the window. The take off is the nuts, flying over land is amazing too, its pretty mind blowing actually- and thats coming from someone whos scared of heights. Get yourself there early and get the fire exit seats, these have no other seats in front and thus make the whole thing more comfortable. Its also helpful if the plane does crash as your more likely to get out first!
Its one of those things which i believe no amount of help will actually do any good. You just need to get on one, think about the above and do it. Once your in the air your fears will subside! Its just now you don't know what to expect so it makes it worse. Once you realise its not actually that bad you will be fine.
good luck (oh and rollercoasters are i think even safer- just get on it,do it and enjoy it!, if you dont like it remember its over within a very short space of time and if you didnt like it simply don't do it again, simple).
I was petrified of flying. So petrified that i never went on one, much like yourself. I have suffered panic attacks in the past and i was convinced i would end up having one if i went on a plane.
Anyway, my gf of 3 years at the time kept on and on (in a nice way,trying to persuade me). I eventually agreed. First flight was to Florida, so in at the deep end at over 8hrs in one hit. I also smoke too which worried me not being able to smoke for so long.
I was 27 before i went on the first flight. I'll list the things which i use to comfort myself.
There are air hostesses on a plane. These people fly pretty much every day, if it was as dangerous as you think or i thought it wouldn't be legal for these people to do what they do. This is the main thing to think about!
Have a look around- theres kids on the plane, old people, young adults, people so fat they are squished in - if they are ok then i should be ok to right? Yes you are alright!
If theres a plane crash then bad luck BUT ITS THE SAFEST FORM OF TRAVEL, tell yourself that, i bet you travel by car or by train? Well statistically they are dangerous.
Finally you are missing out big time, you want to see nice places and experience things? Well sadly we need to fly.
Seriously i was terrified and now guess what? I actually ask to go by the window. The take off is the nuts, flying over land is amazing too, its pretty mind blowing actually- and thats coming from someone whos scared of heights. Get yourself there early and get the fire exit seats, these have no other seats in front and thus make the whole thing more comfortable. Its also helpful if the plane does crash as your more likely to get out first!
Its one of those things which i believe no amount of help will actually do any good. You just need to get on one, think about the above and do it. Once your in the air your fears will subside! Its just now you don't know what to expect so it makes it worse. Once you realise its not actually that bad you will be fine.
good luck (oh and rollercoasters are i think even safer- just get on it,do it and enjoy it!, if you dont like it remember its over within a very short space of time and if you didnt like it simply don't do it again, simple).
tless, at the loss of control and the feeling of being trapped. Once I actually got on board and took off it wasn't even an issue.OP you need to admit to yourself you have a phonia, not a rational fear as you
put it.
A rational fear would be based on facts - but the fact is that jumping in a car carries more risk.
I agree that sitting in a plane heading vertically downwards would lead to a rational fear but thankfully most pilots try to avoid that.
If you want to do it get some help - doctor/course/whatever. I think there is some good advice above - I have the sense you maybe don't really want to follow it yet?
put it.
A rational fear would be based on facts - but the fact is that jumping in a car carries more risk.
I agree that sitting in a plane heading vertically downwards would lead to a rational fear but thankfully most pilots try to avoid that.
If you want to do it get some help - doctor/course/whatever. I think there is some good advice above - I have the sense you maybe don't really want to follow it yet?
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