January 2019
Forgo the Fear of Flying
Expert advice for a nervous flyer
More common than many of us would like to admit, the fear of flying can impact our travel experience. However, it can be helped with a bit of knowledge and techniques that may help you feel confident.
Review these recommendations to help take the stress out of flying:
Be empowered by knowledge
Understand why the aircraft is making the noises you hear.
During takeoff and landing, these are some of the routine noises you may hear:
- The engines operate at maximum power during takeoff, which makes the sound higher and louder than at other phases of flight
- Flap extensions change the shape of the wing to provide more lift at slower airspeeds, which improves takeoff. When the flaps retract after takeoff and extend before landing, they can make a humming, whining, or clunking noise depending on the system
- Hydraulic actuators extend and retract the landing gear, which can make a clunking noise
- As the airspeed of the plane increases, the noise in the cabin also increases
- When landing, large doors, called thrust reversers, located toward the rear of the engine open and deflect thrust forward to help slow the aircraft. This is why you hear the engine spool up after touchdown
Understand Turbulence
While turbulence is uncomfortable, understanding what it is and how NetJets mitigates it can calm your uneasiness:
- Turbulence is caused by a mixture of differing wind speeds and directions that may cause the aircraft to drop or climb slightly, similar to a car driving over a pothole
- Wind flow over mountainous regions can cause a wavelike motion
- NetJets Flight Operations and Meteorology Teams examine each aircraft course and find the best route with the least amount of disturbance for your travel
- Crewmembers use weather radar tools during flight to navigate around known weather impacts, and coordinate with air traffic control to find the altitude providing the smoothest ride
- Aircraft are designed and tested to thresholds well in excess of any expected turbulence levels
manage your
physical response
Learn to identify your symptoms of fear and anxiety so you can react immediately.
Close your eyes or pick something to focus your attention on. Now take slow, deep breaths for five minutes through your nose, not your mouth.
Tighten a group of muscles, then slowly relax one muscle at a time.
Create effective distractions—listen to music, read, work on a project.
Slowly open the ventilation outlet for added air flow.
During daytime flights, focusing on the horizon may be calming and help ease tension.
