Home | Health | Relationships | Finance | Entertainment | Tech | Travel | Humor
About Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Dutch Course The Hague | Dutch Course
How To Get Rid Of Your Fear of Flying
By: Julie Michelle Smith

Travelling by airplane is about 29 times safer than driving by car, but if you suffer from fear of flying, those statistics won't make much of a difference.
Don't let your next vacation be spoiled by your fear of flying. It's time to battle the fear.
1. Analyze your fear
What exactly is it that you're afraid of? There may be multiple causes, including:
- Heights
- Enclosed spaces
- Crowded conditions
- Sitting in hot, stale air
- Being required to wait passively
- Not understanding the reasons for all the strange actions, sounds, and sensations occurring around you
- Worrying about the dangers of turbulence
- Being dependent on unknown mechanical things to maintain your safety
- Being dependent on an unknown pilot’s judgment
- Not feeling in control
- The possibility of terrorism
Fear of flying is different for everyone. Understanding your personal fear is the first step towards getting rid of it. For instance, if you're afraid to be in enclosed spaces in general, you should seek help for that and not focus on flying so much.
If your fear is caused by a trauma, you might like to consider joining a support group or seeking therapeutic help. A good place to start is Wings of Light, a national nonprofit public charity that provides a 'survivors support network', a 'family and friends support network', and a 'rescue/response personnel support network'.

Hundreds of planes land safely in bad weather every day.
2. Get your facts straight
Be aware of which parts of your fears are irrational. Learn a little bit about aerodynamics and the engine of an airplane.
For instance, you may not know that even with all the engines stopped, an airplane can glide back down to a safe destination: it won’t fall like a rock. Its altitude will be traded for airspeed, and the airspeed will generate enough lift to fly it back down to the ground for a safe landing.
When your plane makes a steep turn, it's not a sign that it's about to crash. Sometimes noise abatement regulations require a sharp turn to avoid noise-sensitive areas on the ground. Turbulence is only problematic when the weather is really bad. But even then you should realize that hundreds of planes land safely in bad weather every day.
Trust the technique and professional experience of pilots. They are specifically trained to fly an airplane even when the engines are not working. Getting back to the ground after an emergency might be scary, but you will probably survive.
Be first to read new articles and subscribe to our bi-weekly news letter.Our mailing list is free, opting out is easy and we don't send spam.
Featured Articles

Sponsored link
Health

Eight Gadgets That Help You Lose Weight
By: Robert P. Make working out a little more fun by using gadgets.
Entertainment

Oh No, Same Dress!
By: Vicky S. See who wore the same outfit on the red carpet.
Relationships

Seven Things Your Name Reveals About You
By: Shannon S. Your name is not as random as you may think it is.
Humor

25 Signs You Haven't Grown Up Yet
By: Matthew C. Have you fallen for the traps of maturity yet?
Health

How To Become A Zen Master (While Doing Household Chores)
By: Donna Smith Introduce a little zen into your housekeeping.


Do you want to advertise your website, product or service through ReadTheSmiths.com? That's certainly possible!
We work together with a few of the largest ad networks worldwide. Geo-targeted advertising is supported.
If you want us to make you a custom advertising offer, contact us at info@readthesmiths.com!

If you'd like to share your article with the visitors of ReadTheSmiths.com, we invite you to send us an email with your submission. We'd love to publish it!
You can also write us if you have a suggestion or general feedback. We look forward to hearing from you!

This website is run by professional writers Donna Smith (1965) and Julie Michelle Smith (1979) and their families.
Donna and Julie Michelle write mostly about health, travel and beauty related issues, while their husbands, parents and children write about tech, finance and entertainment.