3 Things Pilots Fear

Image by origamidon via Flickr

As a pilot who makes his living working for the airlines, I’m involved in aviation every day, in one capacity or another.  Being a de-facto diplomat for aviation, I love writing articles that might help fearful flyers.
A certain mystery surrounds aviation. Darkness, ethereal haze, or pure magic and sorcery?  Truthfully, I’m [...]

What’s to Fear about a Short Hop in a Turboprop?

Image via Wikipedia

During a recent layover in Philadelphia, I had an opportunity to step out of my usual place in the cockpit to fly as a passenger on a commuter flight to visit friends in Harrisburg.  Since I am used to piloting an Airbus 319, 320, and 321, this flight in a turboprop took me [...]

Another Routine Day to Fly

Image by robanhk via Flickr

The crew arrived at the airport on a routine but chilly Saturday morning in early March.  It was a cold almost balmy morning due to the absolute stillness of the dark night air. Our passengers—those afraid to fly or not—are also likely making their way to Metro airport. They were no [...]

Afraid to Fly? Then Meet the Pilots!

Image by Rennett Stowe via Flickr

I came across this column called Feeding the Fear of Flying about the writer’s fearful flyer husband.  The couple’s solution to cure fear of flying made me smile and reminded me of what we advise fearful flyers to do.
The writer described her own fear of heights (which doesn’t bother her [...]

Fear of Turbulence and Pilot Announcements

A fearful flyer sent us this comment about his fear of flying through turbulence:  “I wish that pilots would communicate more with the passengers. For example, that they would explain the turbulence and how long it will likely last. Also I often find that when they say turbulence is coming and to fasten one’s seatbelt, that turbulence [...]