My fear is a strange one that has developed over the years. At first (in my naivity) I loved flying, but the more I thought about turbulence and air movement the more scared I got on subsequent flights. This has led to me being a very poor flyer. I literally grip the seat I’m in and cannot normally indulge in conversations on a flight as I am too busy ‘concentrating’ on whether the plane is moving about in turbulence or not. I have looked at the practicalities of turbulence and the more I read the more stupid I feel for reacting this way when on a flight. However, since visiting this website, your words and advice seem to be imprinted onto my psyche which has enabled me to relax and enjoy flights for the first time in years.

Again once again congratulations on your site and a huge thankyou for enabling me to enjoy flying once more.

Simon

Hope I’m not too late with the reply. I was flying last night (UK time) and have only just got the chance to respond.

Medicine is unlikely to work, and some studies have even shown it to increase anxiety – something you definitely don’t want.

What you have to keep remembering is that planes are supposed to move around. Just as a boat moves on the surface of the water, a plane must move in air. As I’ve mentioned, air acts in a very similar way to water, but – of course – it’s invisible which leads to a fear amongst many airline passengers.

Just keep the thought in your mind that there is air surroinding the entire aircraft, and this is what is holding it up. That air will never cease to exist, or lapse – or you’d see birds randomly dropping from the sky all day!

Turbulence is caused by different air pressures, and weather fronts. It is 100% natural, and completely safe. Storms can cause increased turbulence, but pilots will always avoid them if they are too violent as they always try to make your ride as comfortable as possible.

If storms are particularly violent, a flight will simply be delayed or re-routed to avoid flying near it. Never forget how many highly trained professionals there are looking after you. No other form of transport can offer you such safety.

With regards to the E190 plane, it’s a perfectly safe aircraft to be on with a proven safety record. All aircraft owned and operated by reputable airlines in the developed world are safe – and that’s a fact.

Enjoy your flight

Any Advice?

I’ve been emailed this question a few times, and have also had passengers ask me at work. Many people are slightly concerned that we have gone from complete airspace closure to flights being permitted again despite the Icelandic volcano still erupting.

UK Authorities (including the Civil Aviation Authority) have admitted that they were ‘over-cautious’ regarding the complete shutdown of UK airspace last month. But, this should not be seen as a bad thing. In truth, it was a very unusual situation for this part of the world, and rightly so, it was important to gain more knowledge to better enable a accurate assesment of the danger of vocanic ash.

Extensive research showed that volcanic ash is only dangerous if it is of a high density. Aircraft engine manufacturers, airlines, and safety authorites were all involved in this research, and all agreed that it was ok to resume flights if areas of higher density of ash were avoided.

In the UK and Europe we are still seeing delays, and a small number of cancellations due to the continuing eruption. The situation is still dynamic, and you can be rest assured that NO aircraft will be flying through ash that is above the recommended ‘safe level’.

So, in summary, yes ash is dangerous to fly through – but only if it’s high density. Extensive research has been completed and ALL airlines will be aware of where the higher density ash cloud is. The skies above us are currently safe to fly in – but if the situation changes, the authorities will not hesitate in shutting the airspace again. Your safety (and ours) is ALWAYS the number 1 priority – no exceptions.

Kevin

Its the same in lifts but not quite as severe, when you go up and then the lift comes to a halt.

Turbulance is fine by me and none of the noises frighten me, i know im very safe and in qualified hands.

So my problem is trying to find ways to stop or deal with this sinking feeling in my stomach, which to be honest incapacitates me until it stops. It puts a stain on every flight that would have otherwise been very enjoyable.

Ive tried drinking, being real tired, listening to music, reading, talking.

I dont think its any sort of negative mindset (thought i do get nervous bout flying), its just a severe physical feeling i cant ignore that causes me to panic.

Any advise how to get better at dealing with this? Or why i get this feeling?

Firstly, you mention that it goes against nature. Birds fly, we don’t. Yes, you are right and that is why a commercial airliner is based on how a bird flies. In a plane, you are not flying…. the aircraft is. You are just a passenger on a giant bird.

The basic principles of flight have always been the same, and always will be. Lift=Weight and Thrust=Drag.

Wings provide lift to counteract the weight of the aircraft, and the engines create thrust to counteract the drag. These are the exact same principles that allow a bird to stay in the air.

You also mention the failure of anti-anxiety medication to help. No surprise there….. many studies have found it actually increases levels of anxiety.

I highly recommend that you download the SOAR course for a fear as severe as yours. It’s a guaranteed course that has helped thousands of others in similar situations overcome there fear of flying. Years of research has enabled breakthrough treatment for your fear, and…. it works! Click here for more information.

Contrary to popular belief, planes never just fall out of the sky, and if one engine fails the aircraft is perfectly capable of flying perfectly fine. If – and it’s almost impossible – both engines fail, the aircraft can glide safely to the ground.

Obviously, accidents do happen, just as they do whilst driving. Nobody is ever 100% safe, but you are as close as you can be whilst in a commercial airliner with a team of highly trained professionals looking after you every step of the way.

Next time you encounter turbulence, imagine yourself on a boat. The movements you feel are simply the waves on the ocean. Air acts in a almost identical manner to water, but you fear flying more as air is invisible whilst water isn’t.

Check out the SOAR Fear of Flying Course for expert guaranteed help.

Thank you so much for your website. It is very helpful.

I have family that lives across the country, and I have been flying at least once a year since I was a baby, with the exception of about five years when I was in college. When I started flying again, the first few times I was fine, and then I started noticing a growing anxiety. At first I was able to ignore it, but it got worse and worse. Then, a flight I was on last June hit some unexpected turbulence, and my fear shot through the roof. In retrospect, I don’t think the turbulence was very bad–I was sitting next to a frequent flyer who comforted me and told me that this was nothing–and it probably only lasted about ten minutes or so. But now I spend a significant part of every single day dwelling on the fact that I will have to fly sometime again. All I have to do is see an airplane in the sky (and I live near an airport, in flight paths) or even hear the word airplance, and I have a panic attack that can last an hour. This happens several times a day, every day, and is ruining my life. I had to fly again in November, and I tried taking anti-anxiety medication: it made no difference whatsoever. I was completely terrified the whole time.

I try to think of all the statistics showing that airplanes are the safest way to travel, and it makes no difference. I just cannot understand how an airplane could be safe. You’re going against nature. People aren’t meant to fly. Birds are. What is to stop a plane from having a catastrophic mechanical problem in mid-flight? What is to stop turbulence from breaking a plane up in the air? No human being can design a machine that can never break. Look at the Titanic.

I don’t want to never be able to travel, or visit my family. I have to fly again on Thursday, and I’m considering canceling, or driving from Minneapolis to California instead. Please give me some advice. It helps so much to hear things from a professional.

Thank you,
Sarah

I’m flying in a few weeks with my family…and whenever I think about it, it’s like my imagination starts up and I think of myself in the plane going through terrible turbulence.
The last time I was on a plane, there was horrible turbulence that seemed to go on during the whole flight. And for me, I was more worried about the ‘up bumps’ than the ‘down bumps’. The plane would just lurch upwards and shake.

The pilot said that it would subside, and eventually, it did. But I was still worried that it would happen again.

I wasn’t afraid of flying that much before that incident. And now, turbulence is one of my major fears of flying. Also, the whole ‘plane falling out of the sky’ thing scares me as well. The idea of the engine going off or something like that scares me a lot as well. Can you give me some more advice? Thanks!