PPRuNE and the Fear of Flying
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
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PPRuNE and the Fear of Flying
I am a mere mortal. A passenger. I am not particularly interested in aviation, and I'm definately not an enthusiast, plane spotter, journalist or wanabee.
But I have been an occasional visitor to this site for the last few years. I think I first came here because I was interested in the cause of a mysterious air crash. PPRuNE gave me a fascinating insight into the mysterious goings on behind the cockpit door (if that's the right word).
It's rather addictive.
As I am a rather nervous flyer, I always assume that there is something scary going on in there. So it's reassuring to find that pilots are on the whole not at all complacent about safety. Sometimes I have read about amazing professionalism and even bravery. Also I get the impression that the job can be very mundane at times, and that pilots resent the idea that they are constantly battling with the controls to prevent disaster. They also resent prattling members of the untrained public butting in on a forum for professional pilots. Fair enough. But I'd like to offer another perspective.
In the old days, nervous passengers were sometimes invited onto the flight deck, and I always thought that would be reassuring and I might like to ask. No that is not possible for obvious reasons. So for me PPRuNE is interesting and useful. I'm a scientist and I know flying isn't magic, but a part of my brain will never believe that such a big piece of metal can get up into the air. Or, more importantly, stay there. I wish I never had to fly. But sometimes I do.
This site goes a little way to popping the bubble of mystique that pilots have created about them. Or perhaps the public create it. Perhaps some pilots even enjoy this mystique, but I think it contributes to my fear of flying.
More importantly the open and informed discussion of the causes and prevention of disasters (including pilot error) surely contributes to safety.
But I have been an occasional visitor to this site for the last few years. I think I first came here because I was interested in the cause of a mysterious air crash. PPRuNE gave me a fascinating insight into the mysterious goings on behind the cockpit door (if that's the right word).
It's rather addictive.
As I am a rather nervous flyer, I always assume that there is something scary going on in there. So it's reassuring to find that pilots are on the whole not at all complacent about safety. Sometimes I have read about amazing professionalism and even bravery. Also I get the impression that the job can be very mundane at times, and that pilots resent the idea that they are constantly battling with the controls to prevent disaster. They also resent prattling members of the untrained public butting in on a forum for professional pilots. Fair enough. But I'd like to offer another perspective.
In the old days, nervous passengers were sometimes invited onto the flight deck, and I always thought that would be reassuring and I might like to ask. No that is not possible for obvious reasons. So for me PPRuNE is interesting and useful. I'm a scientist and I know flying isn't magic, but a part of my brain will never believe that such a big piece of metal can get up into the air. Or, more importantly, stay there. I wish I never had to fly. But sometimes I do.
This site goes a little way to popping the bubble of mystique that pilots have created about them. Or perhaps the public create it. Perhaps some pilots even enjoy this mystique, but I think it contributes to my fear of flying.
More importantly the open and informed discussion of the causes and prevention of disasters (including pilot error) surely contributes to safety.
Scaredy-cat
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hochheim, Germany
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Hi to you, fellow scaredy-cat!
I had an emergency landing six years ago and my fear can be as nasty as having panic attacks and taking medication, but still- I fly.
On the other hand, I am also an enthusiast, When I was 16, I was about to get the licence for gliders/sail planes (but had to stop due to lack of money), heck, I even wwanted to become a professional pilot when I was 18- unfortunately, I developed severe myopia and was out of the game...
I loved to fly, I have also always been interested in the technical aspects of piloting, and still...
...I am afraid of flying. But finding this forum made me feel better because of the ability to look behind the facade.
I was lucky enough to be invited to flight deck more than once, and once I was even able to actually stay there (on an A320) for landing (at FRA), which made my day (and I was not one bit afraid, just fascinated)
I've only discovered PPRuNe a few days ago, but I'm also here to stay!
Alexandra
I had an emergency landing six years ago and my fear can be as nasty as having panic attacks and taking medication, but still- I fly.
On the other hand, I am also an enthusiast, When I was 16, I was about to get the licence for gliders/sail planes (but had to stop due to lack of money), heck, I even wwanted to become a professional pilot when I was 18- unfortunately, I developed severe myopia and was out of the game...
I loved to fly, I have also always been interested in the technical aspects of piloting, and still...
...I am afraid of flying. But finding this forum made me feel better because of the ability to look behind the facade.
I was lucky enough to be invited to flight deck more than once, and once I was even able to actually stay there (on an A320) for landing (at FRA), which made my day (and I was not one bit afraid, just fascinated)
I've only discovered PPRuNe a few days ago, but I'm also here to stay!
Alexandra
Coppula eam se non posit acceptera jocularum
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Northumberland, UK
Age: 61
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PPRuNe is like the invite to the flightdeck and I am a better passenger for it.
Granted, I started from the position from enjoying flying, but there was a lot I did not know or understand. Several years worth of reading here, and asking questions, means I know what is going on to the extent I can reassure Mrs ES (who is scared of flying) that every noise and event is quite normal. I am also a better passenger because I have read about the culture and environment for those working in aviation. Again, I suppose even without knowing all this it would be in my nature to be polite to the staff I meet, but knowing more about the pressures and problems provides empathy and not just habit in the politeness. A final advantage of knowing more through PPRuNe is that I can take better care of those details that enhance my security and safety as a passenger. Sounds a bit pompous I know, but the details includes such things as I used to take my seatbelt off while in cruise, whereas now I leave it loosely in position, and know the reason why this is recommended practice.
Other side of the coin is that knowing more about the industry, I also know what is best practice and thereby know when (and to who!) to complain if things are not satisfactory.
Granted, I started from the position from enjoying flying, but there was a lot I did not know or understand. Several years worth of reading here, and asking questions, means I know what is going on to the extent I can reassure Mrs ES (who is scared of flying) that every noise and event is quite normal. I am also a better passenger because I have read about the culture and environment for those working in aviation. Again, I suppose even without knowing all this it would be in my nature to be polite to the staff I meet, but knowing more about the pressures and problems provides empathy and not just habit in the politeness. A final advantage of knowing more through PPRuNe is that I can take better care of those details that enhance my security and safety as a passenger. Sounds a bit pompous I know, but the details includes such things as I used to take my seatbelt off while in cruise, whereas now I leave it loosely in position, and know the reason why this is recommended practice.
Other side of the coin is that knowing more about the industry, I also know what is best practice and thereby know when (and to who!) to complain if things are not satisfactory.
Humus Motor
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Squids, a nice post.
But such a big piece of metal gets into the air because it's so light for it's size. If you built a ship the size of a 747-400, say a small coastal tanker, it would weigh in the region of 6000 tons as opposed to the 747's less than 400. So it's a butterfly really.
ducks and waits for abuse from -400 crew!
But such a big piece of metal gets into the air because it's so light for it's size. If you built a ship the size of a 747-400, say a small coastal tanker, it would weigh in the region of 6000 tons as opposed to the 747's less than 400. So it's a butterfly really.
ducks and waits for abuse from -400 crew!
