The Fear of Falling????
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The Fear of Falling????
Guys,
I'm busy taking my PPL but everytime I have a lesson I just can't relax.
I can't put it down to a 'fear of heights' because standing on top of tall buildings like the Empire State Building doesn't worry me at all, however I was forced to go on The London Eye last week and hated it. I hate high fairground rides too!
It seems as though it's falling that worries me ie when suspended it the air (you couldn't get me to do a parachute jump or in a hot air balloon for love nor money).
Has any one else experience this?
And any thoughts on how to overcome it?
All comments would be gratefully appreciated.
I'm busy taking my PPL but everytime I have a lesson I just can't relax.
I can't put it down to a 'fear of heights' because standing on top of tall buildings like the Empire State Building doesn't worry me at all, however I was forced to go on The London Eye last week and hated it. I hate high fairground rides too!
It seems as though it's falling that worries me ie when suspended it the air (you couldn't get me to do a parachute jump or in a hot air balloon for love nor money).
Has any one else experience this?
And any thoughts on how to overcome it?
All comments would be gratefully appreciated.
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I could give a very long post talking about my fear of open heights..
But in short to answer your questions,
Yep I've experienced similar feelings
The best way to overcome it is to stick at it and build air time
I did find a low wing training plane helped me a lot early on. Now I've been up in open microlights and fly high wing planes without too much worry. It just took some time.
But in short to answer your questions,
Yep I've experienced similar feelings
The best way to overcome it is to stick at it and build air time
I did find a low wing training plane helped me a lot early on. Now I've been up in open microlights and fly high wing planes without too much worry. It just took some time.
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Interesting screen name for one with such an affliction 
I'm not a psychologist but do you have any height related traumas from your past? Could it be an old fear? Difficult to answer, I know. I have an irrational phobia about hypodermic needles - bad thing in France where they like to look at your blood for the slightest excuse. I couldn't tell you where this phobia comes from!
I'm not a psychologist but do you have any height related traumas from your past? Could it be an old fear? Difficult to answer, I know. I have an irrational phobia about hypodermic needles - bad thing in France where they like to look at your blood for the slightest excuse. I couldn't tell you where this phobia comes from!
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No not at all the only 'phobia' I have is birds having been trapped in a room with one as it came down the chimney when I was a very young age but nothing at all related to heights.
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I can't say for sure it will be just time for you as I'm not a doctor so can only say for me things improved over time.
I hadn't thought of it is a phobia, perhaps it is though.
I could never tolerate open heights, cliff edges, tops of tall buildings, walking over high bridges. I would experience an almost overwhelming sensation I would fall. I remember when very young this could be so strong I would actually 'freeze'.
I guess it is natural enough this surfaced during my early flying lessons. In the end I think it was just trust in the fact the aeroplane wasn't about to fall out of the sky and I wasn't about to fall out of it. But it did take quite a long time before I could say I was really comfortable with the concept. So glide approaches, stalling, flying in rough conditions, go-arounds all built up a picture in my mind that aeroplanes are happiest in the air and things were just fine.
I'm sure I've read somewhere that fear of open heights is more common in pilots than the general population. Sorry I don't have a reference for where I came across that, but I'm sure this won't be the first or last thread on PPruNe on the subject.
I know one thing that helped me was discussing the problem with my instructor, he admitted the same fear of open heights and that helped me a lot to convince myself flying simply wasn't the same thing.
I hadn't thought of it is a phobia, perhaps it is though.
I could never tolerate open heights, cliff edges, tops of tall buildings, walking over high bridges. I would experience an almost overwhelming sensation I would fall. I remember when very young this could be so strong I would actually 'freeze'.
I guess it is natural enough this surfaced during my early flying lessons. In the end I think it was just trust in the fact the aeroplane wasn't about to fall out of the sky and I wasn't about to fall out of it. But it did take quite a long time before I could say I was really comfortable with the concept. So glide approaches, stalling, flying in rough conditions, go-arounds all built up a picture in my mind that aeroplanes are happiest in the air and things were just fine.
I'm sure I've read somewhere that fear of open heights is more common in pilots than the general population. Sorry I don't have a reference for where I came across that, but I'm sure this won't be the first or last thread on PPruNe on the subject.
I know one thing that helped me was discussing the problem with my instructor, he admitted the same fear of open heights and that helped me a lot to convince myself flying simply wasn't the same thing.
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Just as a footnote to my last post, it's a subject well worth a google:
Pilots and Fear of Heights
Plenty more too.
So the thought there is it is not a phobia but quite normal for pilots.
Pilots and Fear of Heights
Plenty more too.
So the thought there is it is not a phobia but quite normal for pilots.
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In my case at least the fear was worse than the actual thing. Since childhood I've always been afraid of heights but only if I am close to an edge. e.g. can't stand next to a cliff, or a low-ledge balcony etc.
But since then over the years I've flown a Cessna, climbed a climbing wall and even went skydiving.
My lesson was that the fear was the worst part. The actual experience was quite enjoyable.
My next goal is a roller coaster! ;-)
PS. I still have a phobia of being upside down. Stall and spin training seems scary as hell and I am not sure if I can ever manage an acrobatic plane in my life!!
But since then over the years I've flown a Cessna, climbed a climbing wall and even went skydiving.
My lesson was that the fear was the worst part. The actual experience was quite enjoyable.
My next goal is a roller coaster! ;-)
PS. I still have a phobia of being upside down. Stall and spin training seems scary as hell and I am not sure if I can ever manage an acrobatic plane in my life!!
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CG,
Thanks for the link, my problem is though that i'm not unduly scared of heights but put me in a small 'twitchy' helicopter and I seem to feel a little uneasy.
What I forgot to say is that it's a helicopter that i'm training in, the Robinson R22 to be precise and I think it's the unstability of it that makes me feel anxious especially in thermals etc, plus being 2000ft up in a tiny glass bubble with a full view of the ground from every angle and the feeling that when if over control it, that it's going to topple over!
Someone likened the feeling to you being the head of a pin and whichever way your moved the yoke/cyclic it felt like you were going to fall off!
So it actually seems I have the opposite to the pilots mentioned in your link.......i'm absolutely fine when my feet are firmly on land or a fixed structure at any height but when i'm in something with nothing below or can see literally see through my feet as it were from a height it makes me feel uneasy such as on The London Eye, yet i've been to the very very top of Blackpool Tower without any problems!
So maybe it's just a feeling of safety, I couldn't walk across a very high swinging rope bridge as I might fall off, I couldn't travel in a hot air balloon as it might plummet, I don't feel safe on fairground rides, but on towers there is something under your feet to stop you falling hence feeling safer!
Strange!
Thanks for the link, my problem is though that i'm not unduly scared of heights but put me in a small 'twitchy' helicopter and I seem to feel a little uneasy.
What I forgot to say is that it's a helicopter that i'm training in, the Robinson R22 to be precise and I think it's the unstability of it that makes me feel anxious especially in thermals etc, plus being 2000ft up in a tiny glass bubble with a full view of the ground from every angle and the feeling that when if over control it, that it's going to topple over!
Someone likened the feeling to you being the head of a pin and whichever way your moved the yoke/cyclic it felt like you were going to fall off!
So it actually seems I have the opposite to the pilots mentioned in your link.......i'm absolutely fine when my feet are firmly on land or a fixed structure at any height but when i'm in something with nothing below or can see literally see through my feet as it were from a height it makes me feel uneasy such as on The London Eye, yet i've been to the very very top of Blackpool Tower without any problems!
So maybe it's just a feeling of safety, I couldn't walk across a very high swinging rope bridge as I might fall off, I couldn't travel in a hot air balloon as it might plummet, I don't feel safe on fairground rides, but on towers there is something under your feet to stop you falling hence feeling safer!
Strange!
Last edited by KNIEVEL77; 16th Jun 2011 at 17:53.
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Yep, I knew that from your first post but you did ask to hear about my fear of open heights
I do think though that how it manifested is similar to what you describe. I've not flown a helicopter and would guess the Robinson R22 is very twitchy. What I would experience was a strong sense I would fall during turbulence and feelings such as if I banked the plane it would topple over on its back. This problems went away in time.
I do think though that how it manifested is similar to what you describe. I've not flown a helicopter and would guess the Robinson R22 is very twitchy. What I would experience was a strong sense I would fall during turbulence and feelings such as if I banked the plane it would topple over on its back. This problems went away in time.
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Well that's good to know that in time it got better!
On my last lesson, the instructor banked the helicopter so hard that my palms were soaking but I think it was his way of showing me how steep these aircraft can bank without problems.
The strange thing is that I looked for something to hang onto which is in itself stupid because if the helicopter did topple over, me hanging onto the door handle or seat base isn't going to make any difference at all!
This makes me think that I actually have the 'fear of falling' rather than 'vertigo' or the 'fear of heights'!
On my last lesson, the instructor banked the helicopter so hard that my palms were soaking but I think it was his way of showing me how steep these aircraft can bank without problems.
The strange thing is that I looked for something to hang onto which is in itself stupid because if the helicopter did topple over, me hanging onto the door handle or seat base isn't going to make any difference at all!
This makes me think that I actually have the 'fear of falling' rather than 'vertigo' or the 'fear of heights'!
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I would guess that when it is you banking the helicopter, and not the instructor, you will feel better about it. You will be controlling the situation, which always helps.
And R22s are twitchy. It took me ages before I could change even a single digit on the transponder without losing 200 ft. I think just the weight shift changed the pitch!
And R22s are twitchy. It took me ages before I could change even a single digit on the transponder without losing 200 ft. I think just the weight shift changed the pitch!
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24Carrot,
I WAS in control but just couldn't manage to bank the R22 anymore than about 10 or 15 degrees for that fear of it toppling over which is why I think he demonstrated to me how much bank it would actually it would take! It was also the fear of over controlling it and falling off this imaginary pin (see previous posts)!
I WAS in control but just couldn't manage to bank the R22 anymore than about 10 or 15 degrees for that fear of it toppling over which is why I think he demonstrated to me how much bank it would actually it would take! It was also the fear of over controlling it and falling off this imaginary pin (see previous posts)!
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How I remember it is that I would be thinking bank, then find my hand gripping the controls for grim death and preventing the plane banking (blimey bank it too much and I'll either fall or the plane will topple over), so I would be in a right bank but my hand was always stuck wanting to apply a left control.
I went through exactly the same thing again learning to side-slip Cubs, I really had to force myself to do it, but it came in the end. (With plenty of encouragement from the right instructor).
Not sure what would help flying a helicopter, I know practicing steep turns in a 'plane made ordinary ones seem better for me. Being able to do really big side slips on approach in a Cub has made me much more confident about flying in general too.
I felt that an instructor demonstrating doesn't always help. I would discuss the sensations with your instructor and see what he thinks. You may just be someone who has more fear of doing something wrong than most, my tailwheel instructor figured that about me and since then I've found it much easier to get on with things, safe in the knowledge there isn't much I can do that he can't get us out of, which is letting me gain a lot more confidence in my own ability than I ever had during the PPL.
I went through exactly the same thing again learning to side-slip Cubs, I really had to force myself to do it, but it came in the end. (With plenty of encouragement from the right instructor).
Not sure what would help flying a helicopter, I know practicing steep turns in a 'plane made ordinary ones seem better for me. Being able to do really big side slips on approach in a Cub has made me much more confident about flying in general too.
I felt that an instructor demonstrating doesn't always help. I would discuss the sensations with your instructor and see what he thinks. You may just be someone who has more fear of doing something wrong than most, my tailwheel instructor figured that about me and since then I've found it much easier to get on with things, safe in the knowledge there isn't much I can do that he can't get us out of, which is letting me gain a lot more confidence in my own ability than I ever had during the PPL.
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GC,
As always another great post, thank you.
I think I must reshape the controls I grip so hard which prevents me from doing what I need to do.
So do you think it's just a case of press on and the more hours I do the better I will feel?
It's just at £300 per hour I hope I feel a bit more relaxed sooner rather than later!
Thanks again for your encouraging posts!
As always another great post, thank you.
I think I must reshape the controls I grip so hard which prevents me from doing what I need to do.
So do you think it's just a case of press on and the more hours I do the better I will feel?
It's just at £300 per hour I hope I feel a bit more relaxed sooner rather than later!
Thanks again for your encouraging posts!
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We joked after my 'breakthrough' side slipping lesson that the top of the stick in the Cub started life square and had only become round due to my death grip on it.
Once I relaxed I found it really fun to be looking at the runway out of a side window, not only that but with a relaxed grip I was able to just play with the bank and rudder controls to see what would happen. A week before I was making absolutely pathetic attempts at slipping and couldn't even hold the runway center line because I was holding off the bank too much, for fear of, well you know, falling or the Cub toppling over.
See if you can relax the grip on the next flight and chill a bit. I'm sure it will come together. But really don't be afraid to talk to your instructor I realised a long time ago they have seen it all before and when one is honest about fears and problems they will absolutely do their best to help out.
I'm going for aeros soon, seems to me the only way to really overcome it all is to make all attitudes and sensations 'normal'.
Once I relaxed I found it really fun to be looking at the runway out of a side window, not only that but with a relaxed grip I was able to just play with the bank and rudder controls to see what would happen. A week before I was making absolutely pathetic attempts at slipping and couldn't even hold the runway center line because I was holding off the bank too much, for fear of, well you know, falling or the Cub toppling over.
See if you can relax the grip on the next flight and chill a bit. I'm sure it will come together. But really don't be afraid to talk to your instructor I realised a long time ago they have seen it all before and when one is honest about fears and problems they will absolutely do their best to help out.
I'm going for aeros soon, seems to me the only way to really overcome it all is to make all attitudes and sensations 'normal'.
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It's funny because part of me thinks stuff this lark and find an aerobatic display pilot to take me up and get it all out of my system in one flight!!!!
So what actually was it that eventually made it all just click into place for you?
So what actually was it that eventually made it all just click into place for you?
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For me it has been a case of sticking at it, facing what I had problems with and asking for help to overcome it from instructors. Mostly though just time in the air is the main thing.
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CG has given you some good advice.
I never had your fears at height, but I did get seriously tense when the skids were a couple of feet off the ground. Learning to set down took ages. There was no breakthrough, it just got better with practice.
Or as Pilot DAR put it in another thread: over time it gets less worse less slowly!
Don't give up!
I never had your fears at height, but I did get seriously tense when the skids were a couple of feet off the ground. Learning to set down took ages. There was no breakthrough, it just got better with practice.
Or as Pilot DAR put it in another thread: over time it gets less worse less slowly!
Don't give up!