Informative

Understanding and Overcoming Aerophobia: Tips and Strategies for Fear of Flying

Published

9 months ago

07/01/2023

Have you ever boarded a plane and found yourself wondering, ‘how on earth does this massive metal machine stay up in the air?’ You’re not alone! Many people, including fearful flyers (Aerophobia), have the same concern when soaring high above the ground.

For many, the thought of boarding an airplane fills them with a sense of dread and anxiety. This fear, known as aerophobia, affects millions of people worldwide and can make the thought of traveling by plane unbearable. But what causes this fear, and how can it be managed?

This article will explore the various causes of aerophobia and provide tips and strategies for overcoming this fear and enjoying the benefits of air travel. Whether you’re a fearful flyer looking for ways to manage your anxiety or simply interested in learning more about this common phobia, this article is for you.

Statistical facts

Aircraft manufacturers must comply with safety statistics requirements as international organizations dictate. In any modern aircraft, the probability of a catastrophic scenario (of the kind that may lead to a crash) occurring shall not exceed one in a billion per flight hour. A maximum of 100 scenarios of this kind are allowed on any aircraft type. Moreover, a single failure must not lead to a catastrophic scenario occurring. Should an aircraft comply with these rates, it will not be certified and, therefore, unable to perform commercial flights.

Considering the average flight time (five hours), the odds of being involved in an aircraft accident amount to about one in two million each time you fly. Or you will be involved in a crash every 1,000 years onboard.

Plane or car?

In five years (between 2012 and 2017), 1,910 people died in 80 commercial aircraft accidents. This represents an average of about 382 deaths in 16 accidents per year.

In the USA, around 32,000 people die in car crashes every year. Of course, more people step into cars every day than in aircraft. Nevertheless, the fact remains that you are at a far greater risk of being involved in a crash when driving to the airport than when getting on an aircraft. However, the accepted belief is that people have more control over their fate when in their car than when a passenger is on an aircraft.

The media can contribute to aerophobia

Media coverage would suggest that aircraft accidents occur daily. Reports of such accidents are between 150 and 200 times more likely to receive front-page coverage than reports of more common causes of death. Consequently, fearful flyers develop a negative bias toward flying. Their fears become validated by the relentless bombardment of information relating to airline safety following an accident.

Are some airlines safer than others?

Yes. The odds of being on a flight resulting in at least one fatality vary depending on the airline you are flying with.

Airlines	Odds of being on an airline flight that results in at least one fatality
Top 25 airlines with the best records	1 in 4.25 millions
Bottom 25 airlines with the worst records	1 in 386,000

Two main reasons explain these variations:

Even though all airlines must meet ICAO (International Civil Aviation Authority) safety standards, the control and oversight of implementing these regulations remain under the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority of the country where the airline has set its main base. But the knowledge and organization of those national authorities differ from one country to another. Foreign authorities may perform checks on aircraft landing in their country (and can decide to ground an aircraft as a result). Still, since only a few aircraft can be controlled, foreign authorities generally trust the authority of the country where the airline has its main base.

For example, if a Russian aircraft lands in Paris (France), the French authorities will be allowed to control and ground the aircraft should it not comply with French regulations. So many aircraft land in France daily that they cannot all be held. This Russian aircraft is, therefore, not likely to be checked. The French authorities must consequently trust the Russian Authorities and allow the aircraft to operate in France.
An aircraft manufacturer requests an action list from its customers (i.e., airlines) to ensure that the aircraft will be safe throughout its life. Such action lists may include regular checks and a list of mandatory and optional equipment, for example.

Some airlines may add to this action list. For example, some optional equipment could become mandatory. This improves safety, but it also drastically increases aircraft operating costs. Some airlines, therefore, choose to leave their constraints on the list. The safety of these airlines will be at its lowest acceptable level.

An airline may manifest dangerous actions or non-compliance with the regulation. If such an airline is not grounded by its supervisory authority, the European Commission will put it on its blacklist.
Similarly, when Europe cannot get enough evidence that a country’s civil aviation authorities are doing their job correctly, it will put all airlines in that country on its blacklist.

Farewell Aerophobia

The safety of a flight varies based on the country an aircraft belongs to and the airline’s safety policy. Most airlines meet basic safety standards, as required by the ICAO. Among these airlines, some decide, despite additional costs, to introduce their safety standards and the ICAOs and increase their safety levels.
There needs to be more information in the media regarding aircraft safety. As aircraft crashes are more spectacular and more profitable, these make front-page news, leading to people developing aerophobia.

Next time you board a commercial aircraft, remember: air travel is the safest of all means of travel.

Cover Photo by Kürşat Kuzu

Related Topics:aerophobia air travel Aviation Safety Fear of flying ICAO

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Informative

Are you dreaming of becoming a pilot? Aer Lingus & British Airways Cadet Program Paves the Way to a Flying Career

Published

1 month ago

14/08/2023

Giuliano

Embarking on an aviation career has always been a dream for countless individuals who are passionate about flying. The Aer Lingus Cadet and British Airways Cadet Program are remarkable opportunity that transforms these dreams into reality, offering aspiring pilots a structured and comprehensive pathway to becoming esteemed aviation professionals.

This article dives into the details of the Aer Lingus and BA Cadet Programs, highlighting its distinctive features, benefits, and the exciting journey it offers those who aspire to navigate the vast expanse of the sky.

Aer Lingus Cadet Program

The first and most important thing: Hurry up! The deadline approaches: you can send your application till the 16/08/2023 by 17:00 GMT.

The cadet program offers intense and structured training (around 14 months) that covers all aspects of piloting. From theoretical classroom instruction to hands-on flight experience, cadets undergo a thorough training regimen that prepares them for the challenges of the aviation industry. The training is held at the famous FTE Jerez, in southern Spain. Successful candidates will be offered a Type Rating (which lasts about 12 weeks) on the most used plane in Europe: Airbus A320, and the base will be obviously Dublin.

The minimum and educational criteria are listed in the offer. There is also a comprehensive Q&A that answers the most asked question and a friendly welcome video about the airline’s new livery. According to the cadet website, the ideal cadet “will need to possess excellent communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills, as well as an appreciation of the service our customers expect.” The course is totally bonded from the airline, which means there will be a bond to cover the cost of the training and other associated costs, and for a period after the cadet commences as a First Officer.

BA Cadet Program: The Speedbird Pilot Academy

Unlikely the Aer Lingus one, for this cadet program, you do not need to be in a rush since the applications are currently still closed and will open in September 2023. It’s anyway worth having a look at the conditions and requirements; as September approaches, British is setting the maximum number of cadets: 60. If you wanna be part of the lucky (and skilled) “60”, have a look at the minimum requirements and don’t miss the deadline application. The strictest requirement of British Airways is the language: the airline is asking the candidate to obtain an ICAO 6 in the English language.

The ICAO Aviation Language certificate can be obtained directly with the CAA or through a recognized and authorized language school. The ICAO 6 certificate is particularly useful since it has no expiration date (unlikely ICAO4 and 5, which last respectively 4 and 5 years).

The training with BA will last about 18 months, and exactly as for the Aer Lingus Cadet Program, it’s fully funded by the airline. For more questions, on the 22nd of August, BA will be running a live Q&A session between 12 and 13 (UK Time). More info and the link to join the call are here: Come and Meet us (ba.com)

Are you dreaming of becoming a pilot, but you never had a chance due to economic problems or lack of motivation? Well, this is your chance! Apply and give your best to realize your dream!

Informative

Flag Carriers as a Symbol of Honor: Between Past and Present

Published

2 months ago

11/08/2023

Mai Adel

Most of the world’s countries have their flag carriers for financial and national duties. A flag carrier is considered an international representative of a country as it stands as a symbol of pride. Therefore, some passengers are keen to ride the flag carrier of their countries as it reflects their identity. However, what is the history of flag carriers?

History of Flag Carriers:

The term “flag carrier” emerged when countries established state-owned airline companies. However, because of the high cost of running such companies, the governments took the initiative to support these companies financially. At this time, there were many airline companies entirely owned by governments. However, a flag carrier can be subsidized or owned by the country, and it has preferential rights or privileges by the government for international operations. In the innovation industry, flag carriers have both financial and symbolic importance. Thus, most countries of the world have their flag carriers.

Countries have Flag Carriers:

Most countries have their flag carriers representing their identity and nationalism worldwide. Examples of these flag carriers are:

Air France

Egyptair
Oman Air

Qatar Airways

However, nowadays, it is not conditionally an airline owned or subsidized by a country. The literal meaning of a flag carrier is an airline carrying its country’s flag worldwide. Now, it can be an airline the country supports to be its flag carrier. For example, the British Kingdom does not own British Airways, but it carries the British flag all over the world. The people recognize it as the British flag carrier. However, some countries do not have a flag carrier but have two, like the United Arab Emirates, but why?

The UAE Has Two Flag Carriers:

If a flag carrier is a symbol of identity and pride, does having two change the equation? The answer to this question is that it does not change the equation this much, but it is more like meeting the country’s needs. Having a two-flag carrier is normal for a country, such as the UAE, in this geopolitical situation. The two Flag carriers are Emirates, the first flag carrier based in Dubai, and Etihad Airways, the second flag carrier based in Abu Dhabi. The royal family established both airlines. Though the UAE has two flag carriers, some of the countries do not have any, such as the US, but why?

The US has no Flag Carrier:

It is true that now the United States of America has no flag carrier, but this has not been the case in the past. In the past, the US had Pan Am, the unofficial US flag carrier in the 20th century. However, running an airline costs a lot. Pan Am could not stand the market and went bankrupt in 1991. Since then, the US has not had a flag carrier, though it has major international airlines, such as American Airlines. Regardless of the current situation of the flag carriers, what are the expectations for their future?

The Future of Flag Carriers:

As we live in the era of technology, predicting the future of something is not a wise move. However, the competition in the aviation market is so fierce, and running an airline company is not a joke. Seeking honor and pride in running an airline is great. However, the competition in the market knows nothing about honor and pride. Maybe, some of the flag carriers will prosper, and some of them will vanish. This thing only time can tell.

Informative

Flying Cars: The Future of Transportation?

Published

2 months ago

08/08/2023

Ahmed Adel

Flying cars have been a dream of science fiction writers for decades, but they are now becoming a reality. Many companies are working on developing these cars, and some of them are already making significant progress.

What are flying cars?

Flying cars are vehicles that can take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. They are also capable of flying horizontally, like an airplane. This makes them a versatile form of transportation that can be used for both personal and commercial purposes.

There are two main types of these cars: eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) and tilt rotors. eVTOLs use electric motors to power their rotors, while tilt rotors use a combination of electric motors and propellers.

The different types of flying cars

There are many different types of flying cars being developed, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Here are a few examples:

PAL-V Liberty: The PAL-V Liberty is a tilt-rotor that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 160 mph and a range of 100 miles.

AeroMobil 3.0: AeroMobil 3.0 is another tilt rotor that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 200 mph and a range of 435 miles.

eVTOL Volocopter: The eVTOL Volocopter is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 62 mph and a range of 22 miles.

SkyDrive SD-03: The SkyDrive SD-03 is an eVTOL that is currently in development. It has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of 62 miles.

The challenges of the developing

There are a number of challenges that need to be overcome before these cars become mainstream. One challenge is safety. Flying cars need to be extremely safe in order to be approved for public use. Another challenge is regulation. Governments must develop new regulations for flying cars before they can be flown in our airspace.

The Potential Impact

If successful, flying cars could revolutionize commuting, travel, and logistics by making those activities faster, easier, and more flexible. Their future impact depends on overcoming hurdles related to safety, cost, and regulations. With progress in those areas, flying cars could become commonplace in the next few decades, fundamentally changing transportation.

The Future of Flying Cars

The transition to flying vehicles holds great potential for improving mobility. While still a developing technology, continued progress by companies working on these cars indicates they may ultimately transform how we move about and deliver goods.

“Flying cars are the future of transportation. They’re faster, more convenient, and more environmentally friendly than cars or airplanes.” – Elon Musk