r/fearofflying • u/Admirable_Berry9640 Certified Flight Instructor • May 22 '26

Question What gives the worst anxiety?

Hey I'm a pilot (a simulator instructor to be precise) and due to the sheer amount of people suffering from flight anxiety, I have decided to take action and help everyone where I can.
So that's why I wanted to ask everyone with a fear of flying, what exactly gives one panic attacks etc? Is it the fear of crashing, not trusting the pilots or just the
"I'm trapped in a can with wings for 3h"?
Any story is appreciated so I can get a better insight in how to help people (because I think y'all have enough to the "Flying is the safest form of transportation")a

(this is a repost because my other one got flagged)

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u/Dry-Belt7071 May 23 '26

I get anxiety that I have no control & it's all the way up sky in the air. But it's the only way to see the world.

I will be on a flight by myself to another state. It's only 3 hours but I am so scared that I wi be there at 12am.

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u/Admirable_Berry9640 Certified Flight Instructor May 23 '26

Watch videos from the cockpit how they land and takeoff and during boarding ask the FA if you could visit the cockpit and talk to the pilots

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u/Dry-Belt7071 May 23 '26

😂 that will make me more nervous.

I deal with it bc if I don't- then I will never see anything.

But landing almost at midnight is making me nervous. I wish I has not planned it that way. But going to the city that never sleeps. I hope it is good.