Fear of Flying: How Flying Works and Why It’s Safe
A few facts that will hypothetically make you feel much, much better
Some people take great comfort in statistics and knowledge. If you’re one of these people, this post’s for you. Personally my right brain (where imagination and emotion live) runs circles around my left brain (home of logic and intellectual knowledge) and always has.
Although the real core of the fear of flying program I tested is the isolation and control of the elements of anxiety and panic through conditioning, I’m a little comforted by the facts too. I tend to use them as a mantra in times of airborne anxiety, reminding myself over and over that the following things are true:
1. Flying is safer than driving
Even in 1945 when navigation was primitive and airplane engines had 20 unreliable cylinders, the chance of fatality when driving or flying from New York to LA was equal. In the 21st century, flying in modern jets is more than a hundred times safer than driving. Statistically, it’s even safer than being asleep at home in your bed.
2. Air is like jello at 500 mph
My right brain knows that airplanes are heavy and it doesn’t quite believe that something as insubstantial as air can hold one up. But air gets thicker the faster you go. At 50mph, it’s like water. At 100mph, it’s like molassass. At 150mph, it’s like jello. Jello can hold things up with no problem.
3. Modern airplanes are two airplanes in one
Modern airplanes are built with redundancies. Early airplanes had one engine, but modern airplanes have two or more. Airline safety depends on back up systems, and airliners have them.
4. Airplanes are gliders
But what if all the engines fail? Then the airplane drops from the sky, right? Wrong. Engines don’t hold an airliner in the air, they just push it forward on takeoff and at cruise. Airplanes are actually gliders. At 30,000 feet, they can glide 90 miles in any direction (and there are probably 10-30 airports where they could land within that radius).
5. Lightning? No problem
If a plane is hit by lightning, the air around it insulates it from the ground. The lights may blink or go out temporarily, but the plane will not be harmed. Thunderstorms are no fun to fly in due to strong updrafts and downdrafts. They can also cause windshear, which closes airports. Pilots avoid thunderstorms with Doppler radar though, so it’s not worth worrying about. You’re worrying, aren’t you?
6. Airliners are dynamically stable
Have you ever fretted about a plane flipping over? Well, don’t. It’s impossible due to the negative dihedral design (that is, the upward tilt) of the wings. They give planes dynamic stability. In other words, planes have the tendency to go straight and to require force to do anything else.
This is the fifth and final post in a five-part series about conquering fear of flying. If you’re a nervous flier, read them all. Topics include:
1. Symptoms and causes
2. Choosing the right treatment
3. The SOAR video course
4. Understanding turbulence
5. How flying works and why it’s safe
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July 1st, 2010 | by Jamie Pearson 9 comments
1. Caitlin @ Roaming Tales on July 1st, 2010
Luckily I don’t suffer from fear of flying but I still found this interesting. I’m a bit surprised by the stats on flying v driving or being in bed? Isn’t that just because we drive more often and we’re in bed even more often? Or is it genuinely like for like?
2. Jamie Pearson on July 1st, 2010
@Caitlin The distance statistics are mile for mile. I believe the “safer than at home in bed” statistics are minute for minute and include things like fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and various natural disasters. The point is that jet accidents are incredibly rare.
3. Crystal aka Travelers Barista on July 4th, 2010
Great post! Even as someone who LOVES to travel and flys a little more often than the average mom, I have a slight fear of flying myself. It usually sets in the night before my flight, I can sometimes have a hard time sleeping, nightmares and just generally bad thoughts until I hit the road. It seems once I am in route to the airport all fears subside and I get into a happier “vacation” mode that removes all fears. It’s a crappy feeling to worry about flying but for me it’s something I can’t seem to get over, but it certainly doesn’t stop me from seeing the world!
Those small airline seats are more likely to do that!
4. Louise on July 15th, 2010
Hi – just came across you and your blogs on twitter – they make for great reading. Very much like the fear of flying ones. As someone who lives on an island and therefore is often flying I still find myself worrying – especially on dodgy windy landings! Worries largely placated now – greatly appreciated!
5. FearofStuff on July 16th, 2010
what most people do not realize is plane accidents are so rare and auto accidents happen almost hourly!
6. Amy Canby on July 18th, 2010
Good stuff Jamie! I’m sure it will be helpful on my first flight alone (without the kids) next Sunday. May not medicate but will keep the countdown tool in mind!
7. Josefina Argüello on July 25th, 2010
I hate flying. No, it’s not the frustrating obstacle course of shoe removal, sweeps and patdowns, oppressive crowds, interminable queues, perspiratory delays and airplane food (or lack of it) that makes every trip a challenge. (Though all of the above are worthy reasons to dread air travel.) No, for me, it’s the loss of control that accompanies my first footsteps into the claustrophobic cylinder that my fervid imagination assumes will be my coffin. For the next however-many hours, my life is out of my hands — and I can no longer find refuge in my delusion that my health and safety are 100 percent under my control.
8. jamie on July 26th, 2010
Josefina: we hear you.
9. josefina Argüello on August 24th, 2010
I hate flying. No, it’s not the frustrating obstacle course of shoe removal, sweeps and patdowns, oppressive crowds, interminable queues, perspiratory delays and airplane food (or lack of it) that makes every trip a challenge. (Though all of the above are worthy reasons to dread air travel.) No, for me, it’s the loss of control that accompanies my first footsteps into the claustrophobic cylinder that my fervid imagination assumes will be my coffin. For the next however-many hours, my life is out of my hands — and I can no longer find refuge in my delusion that my health and safety are 100 percent under my control.
Josefina – queretaro mexico
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