God would have given us wings.

[herr gruber]

Is anybody here afraid of flying? Everytime I go near an aeroplane I start to sweat, tremble and am prone to flatulence. The only time I would feel safe is if Charlton Heston were in the cockpit. Turbulence is the thing that shakes me up, literally. Perhaps the question shouldn't be 'Are you afraid of flying', rather, 'Are you afraid of crashing?'

:dead: :eek:

[metalinvader]

Personally,I'm not afraid of flying in the least bit.I just close my eyes and sleep:sleep:

[indy34]

I'm not afraid of flying I've spent my entire life around planes. The risk of a plane crashing is extremely small except for those bargain planes in places like Indonesia but it's mostly crappy piloting. A plus for me I live in Australia Qantas has never had a crash.....yet.

[No Ticket]

I have absolutely no problem with flying. I like it. Although I do realize if something went wrong, your pretty screwed up there.

[René Belloq]

Although I do realize if something went wrong, your pretty screwed up there.

http://dongenggeologi.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/2000_concorde_crash.jpg

Concorde was the world's safest plane...

[indy34]

It's just a little flame it will put it's self out:p

[metalinvader]

Doesn't that always happen???;) :D

[Indyologist]

I had my first trip on a jet about 5 years ago when I went to stay with my uncle in Florida for a week. It was the most amazing experience I've ever had. It was just incredible seeing/feeling it take off and seeing everything below me get smaller and smaller until the earth itself seemed like some tiny world in a child's dream. When we got really high and the clouds in the sky were actually below us, looking like a beautiful, alien kind of sea, it was just breathtaking! And the sunset I saw on the way back, reflecting every color of the rainbow? Gosh...it took my breath away seeing God's amazing creation from such an awesome height. It made realize just how small I really am. It was such a spiritual and humbling experience. I long to experience it again.

Still, I could see how someone could be very afraid on a plane. I thought of people who have died in plane crashes and I can't imagine the pure horror they felt, feeling the plane going out of control and falling from such a dizzying height. I put the thought immediately out of my mind and just enjoyed the flight, though, knowing the odds of that happening were pretty slim. Heck, I'm sure the odds are greater that a person would be killed in a car crash than in a plane accident. Still, incredible experience!

[herr gruber]

...Thanks, guys.... You're making me feel much better... :dead: :eek:

[kongisking]

I'm horrified of planes crashing. So, yeah, I hate flying because of the risk. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :dead:

[salussolia]

plane crashes are very rare

planes are safer than cars

[No Ticket]

plane crashes are very rare

planes are safer than cars

Well there is less stuff to run into up there. And most pilots don't drink and fly. And I imagine it takes a bit more to get your pilot's license than your driver's. Plus I doubt many teenagers are flying up there.

[Aaron H]

I've never been afraid to fly...except one time when a bunch of crazy looking guys got on the plane. I was a bit nervous and kept awake the whole trip. (Chalk it up to post-9/11 jitters)

[Little Indy]

I am afraid also. I get really nervous. I tell myself all that crap about planes being safer and more likely to die in a car crash. Doesn't work for me. In a car wreck you don't drop out of the sky. But I love to travel, so I put up with all the nerves so I can visit other places. I have had some interesting stories on air flights though. One near miss on the runway, some guy went from a white Australian to a black Jamaican. The captain came on one time after we taxied away from the jet-way and said sorry folks we forgot a piece of equipment!!!. What the hell, I began sweating, and going through all the scenarios. What if they put it in wrong. What if they do a fast job and forget to finish a step. Turned out it was a special wheel chair for one of the travellers.

But I do agree with Indyologist, the view is spectacular:up:

[Spikes & Lava]

When it comes to vehicles I definitel feel less save driving in heavy traffic or in rainy/snowy conditions, mostly due to worrying about others plowing into me. Flying is so very much more closely regulated as to who gets into the pilot's seat that there is a lot more skill inherent in the few folks guiding your conveyance.

[adventure_al]

Planes are great, I find them fascinating. I've never felt scared even in smaller planes. But I guess I can understand why you might be scared, it's doesn't seem natural to be all the way up there :up: makes more sense than alot of the irrational phobias out there.

[Indy_Chic]

I think the only time I would feel safe on a plane would be if Harrison Ford were at the controls! :o ;)

[Deckard]

Im a helicopter pilot and love it. Nothing like an autorotation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPEJ07ecJvY&feature=related

[indy34]

I think the only time I would feel safe on a plane would be if Harrison Ford were at the controls! :o ;)
But how are you going to get back down:p

[MaxPhactor23]

I used to be horrified, but I‘ve come to not only live with it but outright enjoy it. Actually, I loved it so much so that I considered piloting school and hopefully will someday at least be certified. It’s only natural to fear heights. In the air we’re out of our element. But aeronautics is an exact science. Place your confidence there. What to worry about isn’t so much the act of flying itself but rather the piloting and construction of the craft. We put our lives in the hands of engineers on a daily basis - so it’s really no different. Its just such a regular occurrence that we don’t notice. We still cross bridges, we still drive automobiles, we still trust light sockets to ignite our light bulbs and not our homes walls. You can’t live you life in fear. Plane crash’s are so rare that the only reason you hear about them on news broadcast is because, well, they’re just that rare that it‘s somewhat of a spectacle. Think of all the car accidents that happen, and then consider how many actually are deemed important enough to make the news - a fraction. Flying actually is truly the safest way to travel.

[Indy_Chic]

But how are you going to get back down:p


:eek: Oops I never thought about that! Hopefully there will be parachutes onboard and not inflatable rafts :dead:

[The_Raiders]

I've only flown afew time, it doesn't bug me too much, if I'm not flying for hours at a time I rather enjoy it :)

[Jeremiah Jones]

I don't really mind planes, they're not my ideal form of transport, once I was flying out of Thailand and the airport had two typhoons and a hurricane hovering about it, apparantly, and we still took off, even though there was something wrong with the plane. THink it was only the air con though.

No, I always try to get where I can by train, especially when I travel, I have this hobby of flying somewhere, say Southern Spain, or Rome say, and then trying to make my way home overland, its far more stressful, and adventure filled then seeing model earth drift by the oval windows. That, and you really get a sense of how big this large lump of rock earth and water really is.

[ReggieSnake]

I'm not afraid of flying for sure, in fact, I love it. When I was little I wanted to be a fighter pilot. Who knows? Might still be someday; I want to learn to fly at some point, anyway.

Am I afraid of crashing? Well, if you think about it- it's a pretty easy way to go as long as your ready to go and have the sanity of mind to pray for the rest of the passengers on the way down. (and not scream like a little girl...no offense ladies.;)) Afraid, no. If it happened-scared, very scared.

Im a helicopter pilot and love it.Military or domestic?:hat:

[WillKill4Food]

Well there is less stuff to run into up there.
What about seagulls? ;)
Just kidding, though.
My dad is a retired pilot and he constantly tells me that flying is safer than driving.
But I still hate it.
The takeoff and landing kills my ears.

[Deckard]

I'm not afraid of flying for sure, in fact, I love it. When I was little I wanted to be a fighter pilot. Who knows? Might still be someday; I want to learn to fly at some point, anyway.

Am I afraid of crashing? Well, if you think about it- it's a pretty easy way to go as long as your ready to go and have the sanity of mind to pray for the rest of the passengers on the way down. (and not scream like a little girl...no offense ladies.;)) Afraid, no. If it happened-scared, very scared.

Military or domestic?:hat:

General Aviation, not military. Eventually I will go back to school for Archaeology, and when I do, I'll be able to do flight instruction part time to pay my way.

[DanRO]

In my case, I am a bit addicted to it :p
Especially the take off and whenever there is that up and down movement. During flight, it´s also great to look outside the window and enjoy the view.

What I don´t like is the pressure in my ears during the ascension and descension moments. It is also very tedious when I can´t see anything outside because it is dark or the plane is flying inside a cloud.

[Deckard]

In my case, I am a bit addicted to it :p
Especially the take off and whenever there is that up and down movement. During flight, it´s also great to look outside the window and enjoy the view.

What I don´t like is the pressure in my ears during the ascension and descension moments. It is also very tedious when I can´t see anything outside because it is dark or the plane is flying inside a cloud.


You dont get that pressure in general aviation for the most part bcuz we don't deal w/ pressurized cabins. We generaly aren't at the height where you require supplemental O2.

In fact we usually take the side doors off the Helicopter when its hot. And by door, I mean the entire sides of the helicopter. Its so cool when you enter a steep left bank, look left, and realise your looking straight down at the ground from 3000 ft w/ nothing between you and it except a seatbelt.

Also it may make some of you feel better to know, pilot's spend around %50 if not more of our flight time during training, practicing emergency procedures.

I cut the engine and land w/ stored rotor power several times a day, so if it happened for real, it'd be second nature.

[ReggieSnake]

You dont get that pressure in general aviation for the most part bcuz we don't deal w/ pressurized cabins. We generaly aren't at the height where you require supplemental O2.

In fact we usually take the side doors off the Helicopter when its hot. And by door, I mean the entire sides of the helicopter. Its so cool when you enter a steep left bank, look left, and realise your looking straight down at the ground from 3000 ft w/ nothing between you and it except a seatbelt.

Also it may make some of you feel better to know, pilot's spend around %50 if not more of our flight time during training, practicing emergency procedures.

I cut the engine and land w/ stored rotor power several times a day, so if it happened for real, it'd be second nature.That sounds incredibly neat.:cool:

Just wondering, how do you go from aviation to archeology? Do you have an ultimate goal in the field?

[The_Raiders]

This thread reminded me of something. My mom and I were going on trip, and the night before we had to go to the air-port she dicided to watch the movie "Alive", (which has a plane crash abviously), and our weather at the time wasn't too oo so this movie didn't really help.

[UltimateManGod]

I have absolutely no problems with flying. The popping ears and small amount of leg room for me are just annoying. My family flew more when I was younger than we do now. Plus it's much faster than driving for the longer distances. I either try to read, sleep or listen to music when I fly. I actually flew alone for the first time this past December. The only problem was my return flight being canceled because of heavy fog, then coming home on Christmas Eve in the last seat in the plane. Other than that, it was easy.

[Deckard]

That sounds incredibly neat.:cool:

Just wondering, how do you go from aviation to archeology? Do you have an ultimate goal in the field?


I want to do field archaeology but haven't decided what in particular I like yet. Im interested in everything from fossils to underwater archaeology. I will do alot of scuba this summer and see how it goes. I may also want to teach eventually but not for a while. The being a pilot thing makes it easier for me to travel or get in and out of places alot of airlines don't go. It's also nice to have it to fall back on in case things are slow.

[WillKill4Food]

This thread reminded me of something. My mom and I were going on trip, and the night before we had to go to the air-port she dicided to watch the movie "Alive", (which has a plane crash abviously), and our weather at the time wasn't too oo so this movie didn't really help.
You think the movies bad, you should read the book. :sick:

[The_Raiders]

You think the movies bad, you should read the book. :sick:


Yeah, my mom has read the book, she said it has alot more details... yeah. i might consider reading the book, but I might not ;)

[whipem]

I'm actually terrified of heights (although I do occasionally enjoy the rush I get from leaning slightly over a ledge in a tall building, for some masochistic reason), but the only problem I have with flying is taking off. But even that's rare. I have relatives in Florida and the Midwest, so I became used to flying when I was younger.

[The_Raiders]

This summer I'm proabably going to Texas to visit some family and afew old friends. It'll be the first time I've ever flown by myself, something to look foward to I guess ;)

[Deckard]

I'm actually terrified of heights (although I do occasionally enjoy the rush I get from leaning slightly over a ledge in a tall building, for some masochistic reason), but the only problem I have with flying is taking off. But even that's rare. I have relatives in Florida and the Midwest, so I became used to flying when I was younger.


Well your pretty smart, because at least w/ helicopters that is the most dangerous time, take off, not really dangerous, just no room for a mistake. Once your in flight the only way your going to be in real trouble is a mid air collision or if you lost an entire rotor blade. Rare.

[Canyon]

For me, the minute I get to the airport, I am on holiday. I have no problems with flying, and did not fly until 2001 (I was my late 20's) and I loved it.

I have now flown 20 times (yes, I've counted) :rolleyes: and I really enjoy it.

As Indyologist said, sometimes I look out of the window and I realise that the Gods have created a truly beautiful world which is quite moving.

Do I ever worry about crashing. To be honest, I rarely think about it, although I do get a little bit restless when there is turbulence. Luckily, I don't have too many problems with my ears, either.

The last flight that I took to Rochester, NY was great because I flew with British Airways. I was in row A on the left facing outwards, and had my own seat with about 5 feet of legroom in front, freebies such as blankets, pillows, eyemask, socks etc AND free alcohol (something I've never experienced before) :D Also, you got your own personal screens and got to choose your own movies and chose when you wanted to watch them, which was great! :up:

[bonoferox]

Only when I was halfway over the Pacific between LAX and Shanghai Pudong....Images of LOST and Castaway lingered in my mind.

[Hedwig]

I have never been on a plane, or in a foreign country. I don't even own a passport. But I always dream about the countries I want to visit when I'm an adult... For example, I want to visit France (especially Paris) and United Kingdom. They aren't too exotic countries for me, but they are fascinating enough...:)

[DocWhiskey]

I used to throw up when the plane would land when I was little, but that stopped around 9 or 10 years old. Now I usually just listen to some quiet music and go to sleep for the duration of the time. I'm not afraid of crashing, mainly because you have a better chance of getting in a car crash then a plane crash.

[No Ticket]

Every time I read this thread title I want to say this so I'm gonna say it anyway.

If God had meant for us to fly he'd have given us wings...

Well, he gave us the knowledge to figure out how to build airplanes. So I guess he did mean for us to fly... eventually. haha.

[herr gruber]

So I guess he did mean for us to fly... eventually. haha.

How many bird's engines fail, sending them crashing to the ground and exploding? How many fleas on a birds back develop DVT?:dead:

[Lord_glavin]

ugh, i've been on enough airplanes to cause a small hole in the ozone from the carbon emissions

flying from NZ to the USA to Europe and back again at least 3 times a year lol

I don't mind airplanes, its airports I can't stand, especially LAX, I get stuck there for an average 9 hours, and it kills :dead:

[No Ticket]

How many bird's engines fail, sending them crashing to the ground and exploding? How many fleas on a birds back develop DVT?:dead:

Silly, birds don't have engines.

[ElodieJones]

Not afraide of flying either.
But I admit in very very little planes I'm not so calm and cool :p
Yesterday I made a skydiving, I will start a new thread about it.

[Agent Z]

I've always wondered if planes are safer than cars...

Is it a skewed stat, unfairly balanced by the enormity of cars in the world, as opposed to the scant number of planes in the sky?

If I do something 1,000,000 more times a day than another activity, then obviously I'm more apt to run into trouble than not.

What really matters in the end are the odds of survival when an accident does happen, be it in a car or plane. I would like to see a study on that....

[I Hate Snakes!]

I'm not afraid of planes much, but I really hate that they are very loud. I am constantly next to the engine. It would be a whole lot better if I were closer to the cockpit. (Why do they call it a "cockpit?" :confused:)

[herr gruber]

Why do they call it a "cockpit?"


:sick: :sick: :sick:

[The_Raiders]

Well tomorrow I'm gonna be flyin on a plane for the first time by myself, alittle bit nervouse..... who am I kidding I'm pretty dang nervouse!! :o , So wish me luck guys and gals. :up: :hat:

[Michael24]

Good luck. :)

I haven't been on an airplane since I was about 16 months old or so (no memory of it, of course). I've always been hesistant to fly. I'm not particularly afraid of heights or anything, so I guess it's the fear of crashing more than anything else. (When I was little, I actually had a fear of being hijacked, which came back a little after 9/11.) I've always thought, "Just knowing my luck, the first time I finally get on a plane after all these years, something bad will just happen to occur on my flight." But I received an invite to visit England this summer with a friend, so if I'm able to square away the money issues, I guess I'll have to just grit my teeth and deal with it in order to make the trip. Maybe I can have them knock me out beforehand like they always did to Mr. T on The A-Team. :D

[The_Raiders]

I'v flown several times before, one time the night before one of our planes took off my mom made us watch a movie about, yep, a plane crash. Iacually enjoy flying, just not for too long, then it's boring. it's the air port stuff I don't like too confusing :confused:

[~KAT~]

I love flying! I go on long 6+ hour trips, sometimes. I usually sleep most of the time. I have flown from San Francisco to Florida, Mexico, and NEw York. Sadly, no where else. I have also been flying alone since I was 10, or so.

The only thing that bugs me are the leg cramps....

[Lord_glavin]

well I've got another one of my NZ --> USA trips coming up

4 hours here to sydney
14 HOURS sydney to San Fran
and then another 6 or so hours to boston
then 4 hour drive

+ waiting in airports

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
jeeeeeeeeet laaaaaaggggggggg

also, this will prolly be one of my last trips, gas prices do take their toll
Europe keeps sounding better than NZ everyday

[indy93]

I love flying!!!!! i am really into aeroplanes and aircraft recogniton. In fact im going flying on saturday to do aerobatics and stuff.:D :D :D

[indy93]

here is a picture of the grob G115e tutor the aircraft im going flying in.
http://www.todayspilot.co.uk/flight_tests/images/Grob-Tutor-G115E_300.jpg

[Horchata]

I fly usually twice a week, and very rarely have scares. Ironically the last flight I was on began taking off, the front lifted up, then immediatly went back down. The pilot came on and told us the fuel pump in engine one went out right when we lifted up. So lucky me, I got to sit on a plane on the runway for 3 hours.

[Indy Pendant]

I'm totally afraid of flying but I put up with it because I love to travel. I think I last flew in October. I always manage to fall asleep when the pilot announces that we're starting our descent; that'll be a problem if I ever fly to Europe again.

[RyuX13]

I've only been up in the sky three times (four if you count parasailing) and I had a blast every time! Third time I flew I actually got to fly the plane..that was pretty exciting.:D

[mutt willams]

im not afraid, i just hate landing

[muttjones]

i love flying!!!:D

[Coronado]

Is anybody here afraid of flying? Everytime I go near an aeroplane I start to sweat, tremble and am prone to flatulence. The only time I would feel safe is if Charlton Heston were in the cockpit. Turbulence is the thing that shakes me up, literally. Perhaps the question shouldn't be 'Are you afraid of flying', rather, 'Are you afraid of crashing?'

:dead: :eek:

I love flying! Being above the clouds is one of my most favourite things. Sometimes I even cry because I'm so happy (yeah weird I know)!

I empathise though, herr gruber (except maybe about the flatulence). We all have our fears!

-Coronado

[Coronado]

I always manage to fall asleep when the pilot announces that we're starting our descent; that'll be a problem if I ever fly to Europe again.

That happens a lot - it's the compression change, it actually puts you to sleep. I much prefer that to the searing pain I sometimes get in my ears!

-Coronado

[Jonesy9906753]

i would never fly a plane if indy was in control of it,because he cannot land
:D

[indyswk]

i would never fly a plane if indy was in control of it,because he cannot land
:D

In ToD, he didn't know how to fly; but by LC he took flying lessons, just short of landing. Most likely he'd have known how to takeoff & land and probably do loop-to-loops by CS.

Anyways, I'm fortunate enough to fly virtually every year, but from where I'm from, the monsoon seasons are especially wet, and thunderstorms can come and go every now and then out of nowhere, making flights delay or just taking off quickly before getting caught in it. And it gets a bit hairy flying through REALLY wet weather, you sometimes wonder how the engines are able to take in so much water without flaming out.... but thanks to these wonderful engineers, they work fine!

As with most people on here, I'm comfortable with air travel, but it's the airports and transits that is the worst part of air travel.