For some reason I'm scared sh*t getting into a prop-plane. I have no issues with airliners, but getting into a smaller plane -- my body and mind still says no.

 

I use to have a fear of flying, and I think I attribute that to being not in control of the situation -- FSX/flight sim has eased that fear a little bit -- at least I know whats going on at certain stages of flight.

Its not bad at all. Trust me when I say that if you were to be put in an airliner without any experience, you would be ten times more scared than if you were put into a single engine prop driven aircraft. Besides, there is less stuff that can break and go wrong in a cessna 172 than in an airliner.

I could never understand why people have a fear of flying. My first time in the Katana, I was having a blast. It's like this love for aviation. I thought I might have a fear, because I am a little afraid of heights if I feel unsecure (like standing on the edge of the building or so), but if I feel secure, I have no fear. Only adrenaline

Too bad only my stomach wasn't agreeing with me

I just wish I had more financial support to get me to the ATPL or so, but I guess it's never gonna happen.

Statistically speaking, getting in a car is far more dangerous, yet why is nobody scared of cars?

Statistically speaking, getting in a car is far more dangerous, yet why is nobody scared of cars?

 

That's a great point in fact. I guess the reason is that everyone "knows" it.

Because if the engine on a car conks out, it doesn't have to make an emergency stop from 100 miles per hour in a nearby ploughed field bordered by trees before you can get out of it safely. :LMAO:

 

Al

Al...

 

You just made my day, buddy.

I could never understand why people have a fear of flying. My first time in the Katana, I was having a blast. It's like this love for aviation. I thought I might have a fear, because I am a little afraid of heights if I feel unsecure (like standing on the edge of the building or so), but if I feel secure, I have no fear. Only adrenaline

Too bad only my stomach wasn't agreeing with me

I just wish I had more financial support to get me to the ATPL or so, but I guess it's never gonna happen.

 

I think I'm scared of wide open spaces, not nessesarily heights. When on a couple boating trips out into the ocean... Couldn't stay in the water for more then a couple minutes because I didn't know what was in the pitch darkness below.

More engines, safer? Newer airplane not necessarily safer? Which turbo-prop has the safest track record?

That's a great point in fact. I guess the reason is that everyone "knows" it.

 

Because everyone assumes that car accidents happen to 'other people', but when they're dealing with a plane they feel like they have no control over the situation, the pilot is 'other people' and thus they cannot rationalise away the risk.

 

Most car drivers get a slight feel for this when they have to ride as a passenger in a stranger's car, the dissonance of their rationalisations is exposed slightly, and tend to find that they'll sit there with clenched white-knuckle fists, or fake brake.

I'm much more worried in an airliner than in GA. I think it comes down to control and situational awareness, that is, when I'm up front in the LH seat of a prop single and in control of it, all is well, but if I'm in a seat in an airliner and therefore unable to see the instruments and surrounding airspace, the moment we hit a bump, I find myself holding onto the arm rests.

Often, if you give momentary control to wary GA passengers, they relax and start to enjoy the ride.

 

It's a height phobia. It's what first gave me the willy's. I love flying small single engine aircraft but I wont get above the third rung of a latter without getting nervous! Getting on the roof of my house. No______ way!! 8000 ft FINE! :)

When on a couple boating trips out into the ocean... Couldn't stay in the water for more then a couple minutes because I didn't know what was in the pitch darkness below.

 

I know how you feel here. I spend weeks on the sea in Croatia, so we do also drive out with the boat, and I also don't like the feeling of swimming in the pitch black water. Though I do love to ski or be pulled on the tyre. I have no problems when doing that, incidentally. But, I can pressure myself to stay in the water if I wish, I just need to talk to myself :)

When it comes to a small plane, just think of a few things. If something bad were to happen, the pilot is likely going to be the one at fault, usually by flying into questionable weather. So first, just make sure you are flying with a person you trust. If the weather is good, provided you are not over treacherous terrain, there is almost nothing that can or will happen that would put your life at risk. Losing an engine in flight means you glide into an airport or land in some field. I lost an engine when flying in California, and I don't even think my heart rate increased because all I was thinking about was "how much is this going to cost me if I have to land on that road and am I going to have to deal with the local news stations?" The idea of not being able to land because the engine quite wasn't even an issue. The only issue was choosing the smartest place. Fortunately, I was gliding distance from an airfield and I just glided in. I had a mechanic come over and replace a bad cylinder and that was it. Remember, every landing your throttle is pulled all the way back when you cross the numbers, so it's just another landing with a dead engine.

 

Also, fly in aircraft with a good reputation. You cannot go wrong with a Cessna or a Piper. These planes have been around for so long, almost any conceivable fault has been found and corrected. The aircraft are solid, reliable, and so well known. As long as you make good choices, and if you think about that logically, you will be in safe hands.

 

Scott.

Statistically speaking, getting in a car is far more dangerous, yet why is nobody scared of cars?

I read in a swedish GA magazine once that flying small aircraft was statistically about as dangerous as motorcycling, which is (again statistically) a lot more dangerous that driving a car. This was of course only taking into consideration number of accidents involving a certain type of vehicle compared with the number of registered vehicles of that type. Still, it's only statistics and what's happened before does not necessarily affect my chances of survival the next time I take one of the club planes for a spin. Also, statistically over 80% of all airplane accidents are contributed to human error so if I don't mess up my chances of getting down safely will improve significantly.

 

To the OP: Get in touch with your local flying club. If they have an instructor available let him take you up in the left seat. I'm sure you'll soon forget your fears when you're focused on flying the plane. I used to think about it on my first few lessons but now I have no fear of flying at all. Still hate climbing ladders though. ;)