Afraid to fly with you?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Age: 52
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Afraid to fly with you?
I've noticed that many friends, family and acquaintances are a little bit reluctant to go flying in small aircraft with me. I'm not known for being reckless or a maverick when it comes to other forms of transport, so I doubt it's me. Yet, it's there. I've never raced cars or bikes. I drive quite geriatric, in fact - slow and practical cars are the ones I've mostly owned.
Many of them have kids, so I assume there's some cerebral barrier and apprehension to stepping in to a small aircraft, but still. These are people who are not risk adverse otherwise. I don't know what frightens them - is it the small aircraft, the age of the aircraft or is it the fact that I as a pilot am not a professional?
Once they have flown with me, they normally love it and want to come back, it's just that initial mental hump they have to get over.
Anyone have similar experiences?
Many of them have kids, so I assume there's some cerebral barrier and apprehension to stepping in to a small aircraft, but still. These are people who are not risk adverse otherwise. I don't know what frightens them - is it the small aircraft, the age of the aircraft or is it the fact that I as a pilot am not a professional?
Once they have flown with me, they normally love it and want to come back, it's just that initial mental hump they have to get over.
Anyone have similar experiences?
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sure; a lot of people will never get into a small plane.
The worst example I saw was a date who almost got sick when seeing a picture of one, but then she was a proper bunny boiler anyway
IMHO, in most cases you can't change it and I wouldn't try. A lot of people are petrified to get into a 747 but they force themselves because they have no real choice if they want a fancy holiday.
The "unsure" ones can be persuaded so long as you make it a nice smooth flight on a nice day, no tricks, no barrel rolls
The worst example I saw was a date who almost got sick when seeing a picture of one, but then she was a proper bunny boiler anyway
IMHO, in most cases you can't change it and I wouldn't try. A lot of people are petrified to get into a 747 but they force themselves because they have no real choice if they want a fancy holiday.
The "unsure" ones can be persuaded so long as you make it a nice smooth flight on a nice day, no tricks, no barrel rolls
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I noticed that their attitude changed after I hadn't been able to kill myself after a year or so of getting my license, and the few relatives that did go up with me came back (in one piece) with good stories.
I guess flying a light aircraft, even as a passenger, is just so wildly out of their comfort zone that for some the step is simply too big.
Oh, and maybe they've always seen pilots as the supreme skygods, and can't believe you're one of them now. What surprises people most, I noticed, is not the fact that I can fly an airplane, but that I'm allowed to do so without supervision.
I guess flying a light aircraft, even as a passenger, is just so wildly out of their comfort zone that for some the step is simply too big.
Oh, and maybe they've always seen pilots as the supreme skygods, and can't believe you're one of them now. What surprises people most, I noticed, is not the fact that I can fly an airplane, but that I'm allowed to do so without supervision.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: in front of comptator :-)
Age: 65
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lots of people come once. Never known someone to come for a second trip. 
Seriously, some will, some wont, some love it, some hate it. You cant please all the people all the time.
I took up a couple, she was quite before but keen, he was very vocal about looking forward to it. He was sick, turned out he always gets travel sick.
She was fine, upside down, straight up, straight down she loved it all.
Take you que from the passenger, keep an eye on them and be sensitive to how they are feeling.
Seriously, some will, some wont, some love it, some hate it. You cant please all the people all the time.
I took up a couple, she was quite before but keen, he was very vocal about looking forward to it. He was sick, turned out he always gets travel sick.
She was fine, upside down, straight up, straight down she loved it all. Take you que from the passenger, keep an eye on them and be sensitive to how they are feeling.
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Africa, USA, Europe
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is about trust and a good experience. Explaining the flight and briefing the passengers is very important. Some people have bad experiences from by wanna be Top Guns. As a flight instructor I sometimes ask myself how did he get his license. Some of my clients I would not be so happy sitting in the back. On private pilot with a C172 tough that it is normal to have a 1100ft/min decent rate on short final. And during the debriefing he mentioned that no one wants to fly with him. Fly smooth, gently rotate, shallow bank turns and people want to come back. Fly with an experienced instructor and ask for critique.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Essex
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes Adam, I have had similar experiences. I think the key question is, are they afraid/reluctant to go flying with you or are they afraid/reluctant period?
The latter group as IO540 suggests, is perhaps not for you to deal with. I just let such folk know that, if they ever decide they do in fact want to fly, then I'd be happy to take them.
If it's you that's the concern, and it's their first time out, they probably can't accept that you're not a professional, as you suggest. This group will probably come round, given time. I have taken such slightly nervous people up in a hired club 4 seater along with an instructor whilst having a check-ride and it helped.
If it's that they won't come back for a second go, then DC3's comments are about right I guess. I haven't met anyone in this group yet, but then again, I've not been flying long and there's still time :-)
The latter group as IO540 suggests, is perhaps not for you to deal with. I just let such folk know that, if they ever decide they do in fact want to fly, then I'd be happy to take them.
If it's you that's the concern, and it's their first time out, they probably can't accept that you're not a professional, as you suggest. This group will probably come round, given time. I have taken such slightly nervous people up in a hired club 4 seater along with an instructor whilst having a check-ride and it helped.
If it's that they won't come back for a second go, then DC3's comments are about right I guess. I haven't met anyone in this group yet, but then again, I've not been flying long and there's still time :-)
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mate its amazing how many people you find who suddenly aren't so keen at the 'real' prospect of getting in a small aircraft.
I have now found that 3 of my close friends, really hate flying, i'd never spotted it but it seems pretty clear in hindsight, these people didn't refuse point blank in public but had a very quiet word in private as they felt embarrassed about it. These are people i have driven, taken fishing in my boat etc. I have even baby sat their kids, they trust me. I guess its just a pathological fear of flying? Some however love it, jump at the chance and offer to pay for the fuel...love those guys!
I have come to assume that at any one time the worlds airliners are full of people who really don't want to be there, I think we as pilots are the weird freaky exception.
I have now found that 3 of my close friends, really hate flying, i'd never spotted it but it seems pretty clear in hindsight, these people didn't refuse point blank in public but had a very quiet word in private as they felt embarrassed about it. These are people i have driven, taken fishing in my boat etc. I have even baby sat their kids, they trust me. I guess its just a pathological fear of flying? Some however love it, jump at the chance and offer to pay for the fuel...love those guys!
I have come to assume that at any one time the worlds airliners are full of people who really don't want to be there, I think we as pilots are the weird freaky exception.
A lot of people just don't have a clue what keeps an aeroplane in the air, so they are very stressed at the prospect of flying, as it is akin to giving control of their life to a magician . This probably accounts for some of the aggressive, out of character behaviour seen at airports and in airliners from normally rational people.
In the case of people you have known a long time, sometimes it is their having to adjust to you having acquired a new skill, and for some strange reason they would rather trust someone they have only just met to fly them, because he has been a pilot all the time they've known them, rather than the (now grown up) kid next door, who they remember falling off his tricycle, but is now a pilot.
In the case of people you have known a long time, sometimes it is their having to adjust to you having acquired a new skill, and for some strange reason they would rather trust someone they have only just met to fly them, because he has been a pilot all the time they've known them, rather than the (now grown up) kid next door, who they remember falling off his tricycle, but is now a pilot.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Surrey UK/Quebec CA
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have only had my PPL for a year and I have given up with anything more than simply replying "Yeah, I could take you up if you wanted".
I have only ever taken three people flying: My dad, ex-pilot, my boss, current pilot, a friend aspiring to be a pilot.
Seems that 99% of people would love to go flying, of which only 10% actually mean it, with only 1% actually turning up on the day without some crap excuse.
I think the reason is a combination of:
1. They don't think you are a real pilot because you don't have a uniform and you still go to work at an office.
2. They don't think its a real plane because it doesn't have 150 seats.
3. They don't think they will survive!
Their loss
I have only ever taken three people flying: My dad, ex-pilot, my boss, current pilot, a friend aspiring to be a pilot.
Seems that 99% of people would love to go flying, of which only 10% actually mean it, with only 1% actually turning up on the day without some crap excuse.
I think the reason is a combination of:
1. They don't think you are a real pilot because you don't have a uniform and you still go to work at an office.
2. They don't think its a real plane because it doesn't have 150 seats.
3. They don't think they will survive!
Their loss
for those "almost ready to have a go" you can explain that they can chicken out at any time before the actual take off.
Sit in the aircraft whilst it is parked, if OK
do briefing, fasten seat belts etc, if OK
start engine, stay parked, don headsets and set for comfortable comms, if OK
taxi out, do checks, if OK
line up and roll, if OK
at any point up to the runway decision point you can change your mind and we can abort without actually going flying. Of course, once the wheels leave the ground you are committed to a 3 min circuit.
It worked for my Mum.
Rans6....
Sit in the aircraft whilst it is parked, if OK
do briefing, fasten seat belts etc, if OK
start engine, stay parked, don headsets and set for comfortable comms, if OK
taxi out, do checks, if OK
line up and roll, if OK
at any point up to the runway decision point you can change your mind and we can abort without actually going flying. Of course, once the wheels leave the ground you are committed to a 3 min circuit.
It worked for my Mum.
Rans6....
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Face it, guys, these people are right to be reluctant.
What has the worst safety record? Private flying. Maybe you have 50 hours,maybe 350 hours. That's not a lot compared to how long you've been driving a car. Persuade your chums to have a proper lesson with a pro instructor, and stick to flying with fellow pilots who do know and accept the risk and can actually be useful in the right hand seat, like helping with lookout, nav, and RT. AND share the expenses.
Newbie pilots (and old ones too) who like to show off and turn their passengers green, should be tied down on a perpetual roller coaster and covered with vomit.
What has the worst safety record? Private flying. Maybe you have 50 hours,maybe 350 hours. That's not a lot compared to how long you've been driving a car. Persuade your chums to have a proper lesson with a pro instructor, and stick to flying with fellow pilots who do know and accept the risk and can actually be useful in the right hand seat, like helping with lookout, nav, and RT. AND share the expenses.
Newbie pilots (and old ones too) who like to show off and turn their passengers green, should be tied down on a perpetual roller coaster and covered with vomit.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 4,631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Never had anyone say no - it must be my natural charm. 
Mind you flown with a few instructors and wondered how they ever became instructors and driven with a few drivers (who have been driving all their lives) and wondered how they had survived that long.
Mind you flown with a few instructors and wondered how they ever became instructors and driven with a few drivers (who have been driving all their lives) and wondered how they had survived that long.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ontario Canada Gulf Coast USA
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most all would be pax have experienced a 2 axis world and they are completely at ease with it.
The 3 axis world is very foreign to them and coupled with their fear of the unknown, raises the anxiety.
Pick good flying days, brief them properly, and remember how you were on your first small plane ride.
The 3 axis world is very foreign to them and coupled with their fear of the unknown, raises the anxiety.
Pick good flying days, brief them properly, and remember how you were on your first small plane ride.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Retford, UK
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Personally, I don't ask anyone to come flying but if they express an interest and are keen then I'll take them. Usually wait for them to ask a couple of times though!
I reckon most people, rightly or wrongly, would put flying in a light aircraft in the same danger category as skiing, motorcycling, parachuting or sailing. Some people are suited, others not.
I reckon most people, rightly or wrongly, would put flying in a light aircraft in the same danger category as skiing, motorcycling, parachuting or sailing. Some people are suited, others not.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have counted amongst my friends a skydiver and a pot holer - I'd never try their sports and they've shown no inclination to come flying.
Just tell people there's a spare seat, and if nobody wants to share then go solo and enjoy yourself.
I'm glad most people don't want fly. It'd get awfully busy up there.
MzFl
Just tell people there's a spare seat, and if nobody wants to share then go solo and enjoy yourself.
I'm glad most people don't want fly. It'd get awfully busy up there.
MzFl
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UAE & Africa
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am very careful who I fly with. I was at the airfield a few years ago and one of my mates asked my missus if she'd like to go for a flip in his Citabria. I took her to one side and even though I'm not one to spoil her fun, I said on no account is she to fly with this guy - his approach was too lassaiz faire and he loved doing aerobatics over the airfield. he was a real nice guy and competent enough but I always had a bad feeling about his attitude. Two weeks later he wiped himself and his Citabria out doing low-level aerobatics.