Once You Understand All the Noises and Sensations You Will Be a Confident Flyer.
For many people, their fear of flying is really just the fear of the unknown.
Nervous fliers are especially scared of any unusual noises and unusual sensations such as turbulence as this can be very disturbing if you don’t understand what it is.
However, once you know what all these mysterious noises and sensations are, and the fact that they are perfectly normal and just part of the process of flying, you will be able to relax and fly confidently.
Let me give you a few examples of unusual noises that start from when you first board the aircraft and sit down, as you might hear a lot of thudding sounds coming from below. Well, these are the sounds of cargo being loaded into your plane. Yes, these sounds are just the suitcases being loaded onto the plane and nothing to worry about!
Another common scary sound is the PTU or the power transfer unit, or the sound of air conditioning, or the electrical systems on the aircraft.
All of these noises you would not have heard before and can be unsettling if you don’t understand what they are.
Then when the aircraft is making its way from the gate to the runway, you will notice quite a lot of bumpy movement, but usually, we ignore this because we are on the ground, but the moment you are up in the air your brain amplifies any tiny movements and you start to focus on the worst-case scenario which just fuels your fear and makes you scared.
Even a simple chime of the cabin crew bell or the flaps extending during takeoff and landing can be unsettling for people if they don’t understand what these noises are.
And take-off can be especially noisy and unsettling for people who are nervous flyers. But these noises are perfectly normal and as I say, once you understand them, you will no longer be scared.
I’m sure you have heard the wise expression ‘Knowledge is Power’ and this is very true, as once you have been coached and understand what all the noises and sensations are, and what turbulence is and how it’s perfectly safe, and how a plane can safely fly over water and even fly if one or both engines fail, then this knowledge will make you a confident flyer.
And this is why we created the Fearless Flyer course, to explain every single aspect of aviation. Not only this but we will also coach you in the psychological side of flying as well so that you stop filling in gaps and focusing on the worst-case scenario.
We will teach you tried and tested techniques that have helped to cure over 10,000 people.
We have an online course, which can be taken from anywhere in the world and if you live in the UK, you can also take an experience flight with the Fearless Flyer team.
A great way to start is to take our FREE training which you can instantly watch by clicking here.
Do you feel nervous while flying at 38,000 feet off the ground?
Turbulence, fear of heights, claustrophobia, and loud engine noises all contribute to flying jitters.
Fear of flying can potentially have adverse effects on both your personal and professional life.
Here are some great tips for your next journey:
Noise-cancelling headphones
To a frequent flyer, the sound of aircraft retracting during takeoff and landing, the roar of engines, and the acceleration noise is normal. However, to nervous flyers, these noises can trigger their flying anxiety.
Having a pair of noise-cancelling headphones is a great way to block out any scary sounds during the flight. So, remember to take with you your headphones.
Digital Distraction
Don’t forget to carry a source of digital entertainment with you like:
iPad or an E-book reader:
With an ebook reader like Kindle, you can carry thousands of books on a trip. Just download enough books before your trip.
Video games:
Load your tablet or smartphone with a bunch of fun games like solitaire, chess, and candy crush to kill the time.
Movies:
Pre-download some of your favourite movies or tv-series on your iPad or laptop.
They can keep you occupied and distracted throughout the journey.
Sleeping mask & pillow
If you are a nervous flyer on a long-haul flight, then a great tip is to take with a sleeping mask and comfortable pillow.
You will feel much better if you can get some sleep on the flight.
The mask will help with the bright light of movie screens, and general cabin lights, or even the sun rays from cabin windows, all of which will disturb you from sleeping.
And having a comfy pillow can provide you with the best head and neck support to aid better sleep etc.
Some airlines provide them, but it’s best to keep one in your carry bag just to be on a safer side.
In the end…
When it comes to nervous flyer’s preparation is the key to success.”
With this in mind, carrying these essentials on your next flight will make your trip more comfortable.
However, if your flying anxieties are not mild, then you can learn more about our ground-breaking online course for the fear of flying.
Even the thought of flying can cause nervous flyers to break out in a cold sweat.
If you have a fear of flying, a simple distraction can make you feel more comfortable during your journey.
Here are 5 fun things to do on a plane to keep yourself distracted and to make your journey go a little faster.
Play mobile games
If you are flying alone, you can distract your mind by playing games on your smartphone or any other portable gaming device.
Don’t forget to pre-download some games like solitaire, hangman, and tic-tac-toe before boarding flying as your phone will usually need to be in airplane mode.
Or alternatively, why not also carry a pack of cards or a small board game like chess.
Read books
Another great distraction is to read your favourite book.
Whether it’s a novel, e-book, travel guide, or a newspaper, reading is a great way to take your mind off of things.
Just remember to pre-pack some great books to take with you.
Or alternatively, download them to your Kindle on your smartphone or laptop.
Here are some great books you can binge-read on Kindle:
All seven Harry Potter books
A River in Darkness
The Madman’s Daughter
Alex & Me
The Ghost Bride: A Novel
Listen to music or watch a movie
Listening to music or watching a movie can calm your nerves on the plane.
It’s always best to pre-download a couple of TV series or movies to binge-watch offline on the plane.
All you have to do is put on your headphones, play the movie and distract yourself during the entire journey.
Get social
If you are feeling nervous then speak to one of the cabin crew.
Or try to distract yourself by getting social with your seatmate.
Flying gives you the unique opportunity to meet hundreds of people from all walks of life.
Engaging in great conversation with fellow passengers can certainly take your mind off things if you are feeling nervous.
Organize your trip
Whether you are on vacation or traveling to attend a business meeting, the best way to distract yourself is by planning your trip ahead of time.
For example; you can plan for the meeting ahead of time by making some notes and decide on the outcome that you want.
Or if you are on vacation, map out what you want to do while you are on holiday.
For example; check out the best sites to visit, or top things to do in your holiday vacation.
In the end…
Flying anxiety can drastically affect your mood while you are on holiday, especially if you are worrying about the flight home instead of enjoying your vacation.
If you are a nervous flyer, then why not check out our fear of flying course that has helped thousands of people from all around the word.
Flying for the first time? Excited, nervous, or a combination of both?
For frequent travelers, flying is like taking a bus or a train. But for newbies, it can be terrifying, mainly due to the fear of the unknown.
The fear of flying can be due to a number of reasons including claustrophobia, fear of heights, panic attacks, fear of being out of control or even from watching to many TV shows like air crash investigation!
Whatever the reason, it’s important to address your nerves before boarding your flight.
How to keep flying fear at bay?
Here are 5 tips to alleviate your fear of flying so that you feel relaxed during your trip:
1. Familiarize yourself with sounds of the plane
Not having the knowledge about the noises produced during take-off, landing, and in-flight can make a first-time flyer very anxious.
To combat your fear before you are in the air, familiarize yourself with the sounds coming out of your plane.
Also, learn about turbulence, and other movements of an airplane. Even better, talk to your family members or friends who have taken flights before.
This will help to eliminate flight anxiety and will also keep you calm until you reach your destination.
2. Learn about plane statistics
As per an article published in Elite Daily, the chances of dying in a plane crash are miniscule in fact about 1 in 11 million.
Before boarding flight,
look for the facts to keep your irrational mind calm
study how airplanes are built to fly in turbulence
gain more knowledge about the mechanics and physics of flight
learn about the many safety measures taken for each and every flight
Understanding the plane’s structure and its safety features can make any nervous flyer less afraid.
3. Understand your triggers
Before getting on a plane, it is important to understand what actually triggers your fear.
For instance, if you are claustrophobic, your trigger might be when the door closes.
The list of triggers could include turbulence, sudden noises or sudden movements, take-off, landing, etc.
By addressing your triggers, you can start to understand and combat your phobia.
4. Choose your seat carefully
While booking your flight, choose your seat carefully.
For instance, if you have a phobia of heights avoid booking a window seat as the sky-high views could potentially trigger your flying anxiety.
It’s better to choose a seat roughly in the middle of the plane to experience a smoother ride. Even if you have to pay a little extra, it’s well worth it.
Seek professionals to help you
Some people need extra help beyond these simple tips and in that case, why not register for our FREE webinar or take our ground-breaking online course.
Our online course covers both the psychological and technical aspects of the fear of flying and is hugely successful and is available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
Summary
Above all, knowledge is the key to combating your flight anxiety and as a first-time flyer with knowledge the unknown will become known and therefore you will no longer be scared and eventually you will become a Fearless Flyer!
For frequent flyers, air travel is a normal part of their life. However, for some people, it’s frightening and a major source of anxiety.
Fear of flying can be due to any of the reasons including fear of enclosed spaces, fear of heights, fear of turbulence, or fear of being out of control.
However, if the thought of flying in a plane sent shivers down your spine and you break out in a cold sweat, read these facts about air travel to help manage your flying anxiety:
1. Flying is the safest form of transport
Plane crashes are extremely rare, and when they do happen the media focusses on them because they are so rare.
As per an article published in the popular news magazine The Week, a study conducted by Harvard University found that the chances of a plane crash are 1 in 1.2 million, and the chances of dying in a plane crash are 1 in 11 million.
In fact, you’re much more likely to die in a car, bus or train accident than in a plane crash.
What you might now know is that pilots have to be re-tested every 6 months to prove their competency and if they don’t pass their simulator test then they are not allowed to fly.
I don’t know of any other industry that re-tests its experts to keep the public safe.
3. A plane can fly safely with just one engine
Many people assume that you need both engines to fly a plane.
However, a twin-engine aircraft can fly safely if one of the engines does not work properly. In fact, even if both engines fail a plane could glide using the principle of flight and this is regularly practiced in the simulator as well as other emergency procedures.
For example, in 2001, Air Transat Flight 236 landed safely without any engine power and with zero fatalities.
4. Turbulence is not dangerous to the plane
For many passengers, turbulence is the most frightening aspect of air travel.
However, turbulence is a normal part of flying, and not in any way dangerous to the plane.
The main danger is people falling over in the aisle if they are not strapped in during a turbulence episode and this is why for your safety the seat belt signs go on when there is a whisper of turbulence.
So always remember to return to your seat and buckle up during turbulence!
5. Oxygen masks really do work!
There’s an old myth that oxygen masks on planes are not effective, but this is false.
When the oxygen pressure in the cabin drops below a certain mark, bags containing the oxygen masks will fall automatically.
It may not seem like there could be enough oxygen to survive, but there is plenty and nothing to be concerned about.
In the end…
No matter how many times nervous flyers read the statistics about flying safety, some people still feel anxious.
It’s such a shame because their fear of flying can affect both their personal and professional life.
So, if you do have a fear of flying, then why not take action and enroll in the Fearless Flyer online course and learn to fly with complete confidence.
When that summer break comes around most children gets excite about going on holiday.
However, the mere mention of air travel, for some children brings on stress and anxiety.
This can escalate into a state of panic and makes flying a major struggle for both the child and of course for their parents.
So how to make air travel enjoyable for kids?
Here are our top 5 tips to help your child combat flight anxiety and beat those jittery nerves:
Talk to your child
A child’s flying anxiety can be due to the following reasons: phobia of enclosed spaces, a fear of heights, or a previous bad flight experience.
Whatever the reason, talk to your child ahead of the flight to turn the trip into a fun adventure.
Ways to help your child are:
Paint a picture of what happens throughout the journey. Create a story board if they are very young and show them what happens through security, at the gate, then on the plane and even tale them through the take-off and the landing sequence.
Describe how aeroplanes are very safe.
Make turbulence fun and align it to that of a theme park rollercoaster ride, so they are not scared should you encounter turbulence.
Distractions
One of the best ways to engage your kids during flight is to distract their minds on something else.
Kids can easily be distracted, so use that in your favour.
Pack distractions such as:
Tablet: Load your tablet or laptop with your kid’s favourite shows or games.
Comics: Pack a particular character book to engage your kid.
Soft toys: There favourite toy will make them feel more comfortable.
Headphones: Carry a pair of headphones to minimise the noises of the aircraft.
Travel-friendly snacks: Feeding your child is a great way to distract a young anxious mind like chocolate and lots of cookies!!
Calm them down
Anxiety is a normal reaction to fear of flying for some children so if they do get anxious try the following:
Give them a hug and reassure them at key moments of the flight.
Sing their favourite song
Play a game with them or tell them a story.
Book your seats
Book your flight several weeks in advance and choose your seats ahead of time.
Two suggestions are:
Pick a window seat, as children often love to see floating clouds. And if they are bothered by turbulence then pick a seat over the wings or in other words in the centre of the aircraft as this seat will be less affected by the movement of the plane.
Take an online fear of flying course
Before your flight why not guide your child through an online course. Worth through it together with your child so that you can explain the contents to them in simple terms, so they are reassured weeks or even month before their flight.
To find out more about our online course click HERE.
Final thoughts
Comforting an anxious child can be challenging for most parents to handle.
However, by following the above tips you can easily calm your child’s nerves and prevent air travel from turning into a nightmare.
Does the idea of boarding a plane send shivers up your spine?
The fear of flying is one of the most common concerns that can stir up an extreme sense of terror and nervousness among flyers.
This extreme anxiety often puts many nervous flyers off from booking air tickets and cancel their traveling plans altogether.
However, have you ever thought about the root causes that contribute to flying anxiety?
The most common causes of fear of flying are:
Claustrophobia
Do you often get anxious when you’re in a closed space, like an elevator?
Most probably, you have claustrophobia. Claustrophobic people often experience a fear of flying.
For instance, you happily boarded the plane, settled, and buckled up your seat.
But as soon as you notice that the cabin door is about to close, you start sweating and feel your heart beating faster than usual. These symptoms may or may not last long but addressing such deep-seated fears is a must for you to enjoy air travel.
Bad flying experience
A scary flying experience often leaves a deep impact on the passengers. Some may conquer the fear while others may swear not to board a flight ever again.
For instance, you are enjoying your flight and suddenly the pilot makes an announcement about forthcoming turbulence and asks everyone to fasten their seat belts.
Simply hearing this may cause your stomach to flip and you may end up feeling traumatized.
So, if you often get flashbacks of these memories, it might put you off flying all together!
Fear of heights
People having fear of heights might become uneasy with the idea of a plane ascending at many miles above the ground.
In fact, people with acrophobia avoid visiting or standing at places that are far above the ground.
For instance, they may even avoid standing over bridges or on a high floor of a building as this can bring on dizziness or can cause vertigo.
Solution
The severity of these anxieties can be very high in some people. So, the solution is to educate yourself about flying and aviation in general.
So why not try our online course that can help you to fly with confidence once again.
