Buckle Up! The best way to stay safe on board any flight is to always buckle your seat belt! For most travelers (and even some seasoned frequent fliers), the most ominous aspect of any flight is the possibility of turbulence. As was illustrated by a recent Aeroflot flight, turbulence can occasionally pose a real threat […]
How safe and reliable is the maintenance of commercial airliners?
It’s understandable for a passenger to question how the plane they are flying on is being maintained since the only time most people even get close to an airplane is when they are a passenger. Fortunately, for people with a fear of flying, there are plenty of reasons to feel confident that airlines and the […]
What are the chances of colliding with another plane?
Is it possible to have a collision with other planes up in the sky? The sky above us is a pretty enormous space. It’s large enough that there are literally thousands of airplanes flying above the continental United States during the day with plenty of room to spare. However, some people with a fear of […]
How do weather delays improve safety when flying?
Weather delays can be extremely frustrating when you are trying to get somewhere. Likewise, passengers with a fear of flying may feel a bit anxious about traveling to an airport or region that is experiencing storms. Fortunately, there is nothing to worry about, as all modern airliners can operate safely in pretty much any kind […]
How does weather cause delays when flying?
When you are traveling somewhere, being delayed can be extremely frustrating. Have you ever been delayed due to weather, but a friend at the destination is telling you that the weather is perfectly fine? Or, maybe when you landed at your destination you saw that the weather was actually good, contradicting statements from the pilot […]
What happens if the plane hits a bird?
How dangerous is a bird strike for an airplane? What will happen to the plane? Will we be safe? Ever since the world was introduced to “Sully” Sullenberger, some passengers have been wondering what danger birds pose to their flight. How much damage could a bird or several birds do to an airplane? Just how […]
Are “go-around’s” in an airplane unsafe? (Part II)
Even for frequent fliers, a “go-around” can be a pretty unnerving experience. What is most important to recognize about this infrequent, but stressful event, is that the pilots have avoided what COULD have potentially been a less safe landing. Let’s remember that pilots operate with safety as their primary concern, with strict limitations for every […]
Are “go-around’s” in an airliner unsafe?
Nothing surprises a passenger more than when the pilots of an airliner elect to perform a “go-around” maneuver. Landings are already one of the most unsettling parts of a flight for a majority of flyers (even those who do not have a fear of flying). And anyone who has had the displeasure of being on […]
Fear of Flying Contributing Factors
The fear of flying that many people experience can be activated or amplified by a variety of factors (approximately 20% of the US population admits to having some kind of fear or anxiety of flying). After all, flying is not a very natural act. People were not born with wings, and while we are all […]
What causes turbulence when flying?
What causes turbulence? When and where is it most likely to occur? Is flying through turbulence safe? How do pilots avoid turbulence? (Turbulence Part I) Once of the most common causes of anxiety on airplanes, even for the most seasoned flyers, is turbulence. In the atmosphere, turbulence is defined as “a state of fluid […]