I don't think that's that weird Patch. I mean, think about it. When you're flying in a large, commercial airplane, you're not likely in control (unless you're one of the pilots on board). You can't see anything in front of you, and sometimes, you can't see anything outside at all. It's a sense of heading into the unknown, you don't know these pilots, you don't know where they trained, or how alert they may be. But it all comes down to trust. I used to be a little wary of traveling as a passenger when I first started flying back in the day, haha. I didn't like being the passenger, because I wasn't in control. And that's the biggest difference between flying in a 30 seat Dash 8, versus a 2 seat 152. On top of that, why would you ever want to be a passenger when you can be the one in control, haha.

I was afraid of heights until I joined the Army- went to Airborne training- jumped out 32 times- HEIGHTS NEVER BOTHERED ME AFTER THAT!!

I don't think I really have a fear of "falling"... ...

...its the "landing" part at the end, which puts me off!......!

I have to keep reminding myself that my eye-balls are around 5' 7" from the ground around me...so don't fall over!... ...!

Paul...just call me "Shorty"!.... ...!

Hey Dennis
Most of us would probably worry about ending up hating our wife - but you have your priorities.  I have a terrible fear of heights - can't stand being stationary on top of a ferris wheel but inverted with the dirt in my ears doesn't bother a bit  .l

remyadrian wrote on Dec 14^th, 2002 at 10:31pm:


I am deathly, deathly afraid of heights, and I am taking private pilot lessons. My logic? Planes are made to fly, I'm not. It makes sense to be afraid of heights if you're standing on the edge of a cliff - if you fall, you die. Planes are a different matter. They're meant to fly. That's how I think of it.

i find it there's a simple logic as to why ladder-like heights may scare pilots, while FL300 will feel quite comfortable...

it all comes down to your visual points of reference - it's the "don't look down" thing


if you're standing at the edge of a cliff, then you gaze down, following the length of the drop with your eyes - you'll get scared out of your pants -
now, when you're on an airplane, or helicopter - even very tiny ones, like sailplanes - you have nothing to guide your eyes progressively down to the ground - so you get a "visual split" situation - without a continuous shift in eye focus, you get only very-close and very-far...

and that distiction seems to separate your depth perception in such a way that you don't get vertigo, hence, no fear of heights 


i figured that out when i flew sailplanes some years back... i still don't feel kinda funky near tall ledges 


interesting, is it not? 

Quote:


Speaking of wanting to be an airline pilot, I want to be one as well and I was wondering what airline you have in mind. I'm thinking Delta Airlines right now but I'm not sure.