I have the same fear, in my case it's bad enough that when i encountered turbulence over Iceland in the NGX i started to get anxious!!!I used to love RL flying, but early this year hit 'Moderate' turbulence over Chengdu, since that time (and also learning about BOAC flight 911) i haven't been able to set foot in a plane. Bit of a problem, since i love travelling.

I am OK on commercial airliners but honestly have a fear of the small single engine aircraft....one of the major reasons why I have not considered pursuing my PPL. Specifically fearful of the high accident rate in these small aircraft.

Trying to shoot in the dark here, but might it be possible that us pilots and aspiring pilots have a fear of heights because we are not in control of a plane and we would have no power were we to fall down the abyss?Food for thought..

Trying to shoot in the dark here, but might it be possible that us pilots and aspiring pilots have a fear of heights because we are not in control of a plane and we would have no power were we to fall down the abyss?Food for thought..

There was actually a study done for pilots and non-pilots and the fear in pilots was much higher than the general public. They even split it between fixed-wing and rotary-wing and the fixed wing pilots again had more fear of heights.

Interesting stuff in here. Most of the helicopter pilots I know are also more of the "thrill seeker" type anyway.

British Airways used to hold fear of flying courses using a 757, not sure if they still run them. And I am absolutely **** scared of heights, the weird thing is I am fine in an aircraft or rollacoaster and I have even bungee jumped, but if I am high up in a skyscraper or tall appartment block it freaks me out.

My GF had (still has to some extent) a deep-seated fear of flying, and did one of those courses from Manchester (UK) in the late 90s as she'd been invited to visit Australia at somebody else's expense. It went well and she made the trip.A couple of years later she was on her way one morning down to Heathrow for a similar trip when the news came through that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Centre. To her great credit (and nerve) she continued the trip, stopping over at Singapore, where the hotel upgraded her to what must have been the poshest suite they had to offer, judging from the photos she took of it.Still grips the seat arms and shuts her eyes during take-off though, while I'm giving a running commentary about flaps & slats etc..EDIT just to add that I haven't been on a rollercoaster since one single time in childhood, and nothing could get me up on one of those now.

interesting. I don't usually get sick on a boat, although long time ago in high school we went out on a deep sea diving boat, wowow I almost lost it, but was able to handle it ok, didn't get sick, it kind of came on me then left....I'm not afraid of heights in a "normal" situation, like in a building, etc,,.. but going out where there is a edge, then I totally freak out.. ..

I will admit I hate the Takeoff run, because Usually, there is a sudden drop after Pilots start retracting flaps, and it gets me off guard!

I will admit I hate the Takeoff run, because Usually, there is a sudden drop after Pilots start retracting flaps, and it gets me off guard!

LOL exactly. and I used to look at outside the window making sure that the plane is still climbing...lol.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the drop you feel in a big jet, as flaps are retracted, is relative and percieved. It's really just a reduction in the rate-of-climb and a pitch change. There is no actual loss of altitude.. or is there ? Any jet jockeys out there ?As for me.. I've been a licensed pilot for 33 years.. and avoid commercial flying out of a dentist chair type thing. It's a near paralyzing fear of just sitting there, vulnerable. And I won't even drive by a place where there's a Ferris-Wheel.. lol, and will drive across big bridges, with white knuckles. High balconies and ledges ? Forget about it.. scares me to death.

And I thought I was the only weirdie like that!One of the reasons I quit flying paragliders after some time.Didn't like watching my boots hanging a few hundred metres over the ground.

Back before a real PPL we taught ourselves to fly in this type. I was a co owner of the Rotec Rally 2B.Talk about scared of heights... :(

Wow, Ron, it must have been a long time ago!1911I have a lot of flying friends. Those who stayed with paragliders tell me about the pleasure of facing the airflow and listening to the wind in the lines.Well... I'd rather listen to my engines and face a nice colourful map on the ND/GPS screen with my feet comfortably resting on th rudder pedals... :(

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the drop you feel in a big jet, as flaps are retracted, is relative and percieved. It's really just a reduction in the rate-of-climb and a pitch change. There is no actual loss of altitude.. or is there ? Any jet jockeys out there ?As for me.. I've been a licensed pilot for 33 years.. and avoid commercial flying out of a dentist chair type thing. It's a near paralyzing fear of just sitting there, vulnerable. And I won't even drive by a place where there's a Ferris-Wheel.. lol, and will drive across big bridges, with white knuckles. High balconies and ledges ? Forget about it.. scares me to death.

No drop in altitude ;) it's just the nose pitching down to help accelerate since the flaps are no longer limiting the climb speed.Regards

Wow, Ron, it must have been a long time ago!1911I have a lot of flying friends. Those who stayed with paragliders tell me about the pleasure of facing the airflow and listening to the wind in the lines.Well... I'd rather listen to my engines and face a nice colourful map on the ND/GPS screen with my feet comfortably resting on th rudder pedals... :(

Ha ha, Yes it was way back there in the 70's Rafal. I do remember the wind whistle at a stunning top speed of 35 but mostly recall the feeling of sitting in a lawn chair at 400 feet even though we a had a five point harness.Low and slow is a blast and the view is great at 400 feet but it felt like 4000 feet at times. :(

I have absolutely ZERO fear of flying, but oddly enough I am a little afraid of heights. For example, going on high up balconies or on very high walkways always makes me nervous. I always feel like I am about to fall over the edge. I guess I am not afraid to fly because I am so used to it, see as how I have been flying since I was 2 weeks old. Even single-engine planes are OK for me, but I do remember being quite scared on my first few flights on them. Strangely enough, though, I was never scared to go on the 'glass boxes' at the Sears tower. I went this fall and it was very fun! Those with a fear of heights should definitely stay away, though!!