subject: Aviatophobia - The Fear Of Flying [print this page] Aviatophobia - The Fear Of Flying Aviatophobia - The Fear Of Flying
The phobias held by people are often irrational, however this does not make them any less powerful or debilitating. These fears often defy logic, and a couple of examples could be the fear of spiders and the fear of enclosed spaces. Added to this list could perhaps be the fear of flying, known as aviatophobia or aerophobia. Everyday, all around the world, thousands of airplanes carry millions of passengers safely to their destination. Flying is statistically speaking an extremely safe method of travel, and yet a recent report found that one in six adults claimed to have a fear of flying.
There could be several different reasons why somebody would have a fear of flying, however much of the anxiety has to come down to a lack of understanding about how a huge metal machine can stay up safely in the air. The fear obviously comes from the thoughts that the plane might crash, either through pilot error or a mechanical failure. Perhaps there is a lack of confidence in the air traffic control system and fear that a simple mistake on the ground can lead to disaster in the air.
It is perfectly understandable that people would be scared when they see the size of an airplane and hear the noise of the massive engines. How can something with that many components not malfunction? However, it has to be remembered that planes are scientifically engineered. They are very well designed and are one of the human race's greatest achievements.
Aviatophobia also arises on the very rare occasions when air crashes are reported on the news. The disturbing images and reports of deaths would be enough to make anybody never fly again. Added to this are the reports of safety issues such as the risk of deep vein thrombosis. However, it must be remembered that instances of air crashes and DVT are very rare, which is why there is increased media attention when they do occur. Hearing about a fatal road accident would rarely stop anyone from getting into their car.
The fact of the matter is that air travel is extremely safe. Every single day airlines deliver their passengers flight after flight, on time and without a hitch. In fact, with the advancements in technology airplanes, like cars, are becoming safer every year.
Once it can be rationally thought out that air travel is actually very safe, the reasons to be afraid of flying disappear. There may be some more work involved, such as using relaxation and meditation techniques before a flight, however aviatophobia should not prevent anybody from getting where they want to go.
