How can I overcome my intense fear of flying?

Question

I used to dream of plane crashes when I was younger, and still do from time to time. Recently I had to fly on business and I was a nervous wreck!

Answer 1

It is a hard thing to allow someone else and sophisticated equipment be in charge of our lives. All you can do is reassure yourself that flying is very safe. The riskiest part of the journey is the travel to and from the airport and we all take driving for granted. You have a much better chance of being struck by lightning or winning a lottery than being involved in an airline accident. Like driving, the more you become accustomed to the feel and sounds of flying, the more relaxed you will be.

Answer 2

In my experience there is only one way to overcome fear and that is with knowledge. I could give you the start of knowledge that will eventually remove your fear. The reason I can do that is I work as an Aeronautical engineer and I worked with the major airliner manufactures from the bottom up. I understand exactly how and why an aircraft flies and exactly how strong they are, how are put together, how much power they have, the triple safety systems and most importantly I know how many people have died in the process of humanity learning to build aircraft. How each crash was and still is investigated until the cause is understood and if needed an effective solution put in place with the manufactures and operators. But if you want to know you will have to give me a good reason why I should spend the time explaining all that to you. I recommend looking it up for yourself? I think you will be very impressed with all the solutions from the findings of crashes that we engineers learn from. Or you could just believe me when I say the modern aircraft is a piece of engineering art and I am in awe of the men who design and build them. I love flying! I promise Engineers always endeavor to perfect the aircraft for its purpose as their seems no reason not to! I am working on a new one right now, my primary objective is to make it as save a possible, so save I expect it will amaze people. I am working on this sort of aircraft for people exactly like you so they will never experience a scary moment like you did. I think it would be a pain to look up all that information to remove a fear that can be avoided. There is other knowledge that can remove your fear but I think the best place you are being told to start looking is in relation to your fear of flying. It is very important not to get distracted from what you find "interesting" and you will most likely find you get off the topic very quickly because fear today is in many aspects of society and I don't know how it is all affecting you. You have a firm start with the fear of flying. Go searching if you come to a dead end start again with what last interested you. God bless.

Answer 3

There are classes/groups that work on this problem. Do a web search to see if you can find one near you. A psychologist would be able to help you also, but would be more expensive.

I know it likely doesn't help, but commercial airlines are the safest way to travel. You are much more likely to be in a car accident that in any kind of incident on an airplane.

BTW, if you have to fly again and haven't been able to fix the problem, call your primary care physician. He may be able to give you something to relax you enough to get through the flight.

Answer 4

Well, 2 people in my family have died because of car accidents and 0 of aiplane crashes. If you want something to fear, its driving around with all these asians. You just need to be optomistic, the pilot flies almost everyday and hes still alive. Theres always that small chance something can go wrong but you need to keep it at the back of your head.

Answer 5

You know I am now taking flying lessons but the thing is I was terrified of planes yes they look cool up close then I would attempt to drag my mom and dad off saying no no no this is not good but after flying more and more I relize its very fun its not terrifiying BESIDES IF FLYING WAS DANGEROUS THERE WOULDN'T BE AIRCRAFT ANYMORE NOW IMAGINE THE CREW OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE so no worries I should say its very safe

Answer 6

Well one thing to do is to see if you can get a ride in a small 4 passenger aircraft. This will put you over the edge but you will get used to it after a while. Then, when you get onto a big jet, you will feel more comfortable.

Answer 7

Like anything else in life: Realize that the worst thing that can happen is that you will die and go to heaven. It is going to happen someday anyway, so why worry? I mean, take reasonable precautions and be safe and all, but lets face it, any one of us could get creamed by a bus or get cancer or live to be 120 so why sweat it? Live life and enjoy it!!

Answer 8

Ask yourself why you are afraid to fly.

Is it because of crashing?

What happens if you crash?

You will likely die.

Are you prepared to Die?

yes - nothing to be afraid of.

No - then be prepared and overcome your fear of flying.

Good luck.