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Do pilots ever get scared flying?

Pilots are trained to handle all sorts of nerve-racking situations, but that doesn't mean that they don't get scared—especially in these real instances, told by the pilots who experienced them, of serious in-flight fear.



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In short, pilots are not worried about turbulence - avoiding it is for convenience and comfort rather than safety. In the best circumstances, pilots can forecast where turbulence is and steer clear of it.

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Advice from a pilot-turned-therapist: Understand the noises and movements of the plane. On the note of sound, understanding the noises or movements that plane makes will help keep you calm. Knowledge is power. “On some takeoffs, we reduce power after reaching about one thousand feet,” says Bunn.

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Pilots with a fear of heights aren't uncommon and in fact, the majority of people who are afraid of heights aren't affected by flying in an aircraft. There is a strong feeling of security when you close the door, and you should feel very comfortable in the hands of an experienced instructor.

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Pilots are trained to handle all sorts of nerve-racking situations, but that doesn't mean that they don't get scared—especially in these real instances, told by the pilots who experienced them, of serious in-flight fear.

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The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.

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Aviation Medical Examiners are trained to determine the pilot's mental health and fitness to fly. Before this medical exam, pilots are required to report any health professional visits during the previous three years, all medications being taken, and other medical history on their medical application form.

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The biggest reason for flying at higher altitudes lies in fuel efficiency. The thin air creates less drag on the aircraft, which means the plane can use less fuel in order to maintain speed. Less wind resistance, more power, less effort, so to speak.

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You've to trust them for your life because really they're the only people on the plane you can trust. And if you can't trust the pilots, you probably shouldn't be on the plane. Pilots are highly trained and very professional. You can trust them.

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When an aircraft experiences turbulence, the plane can drop or change altitude suddenly. This is why pilots always caution passengers to buckle up and stay seated when they are experiencing flight turbulence. The sudden movements put passengers at risk.

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Do pilots get nervous on take off? If it's severe turbulence then yes, and if there are very strong crosswinds during takeoff or landing then the pilot can feel nervous about it.

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Once you've reached cruising altitude and are on your course heading, there's little conversation that's required from you. And with a mean salary of over $120K, it's among the highest-paying jobs for introverts. To become an airline pilot, you'll likely need to earn your bachelor's degree.

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The normal cruising altitude for commercial airplanes is between 33,000 and 42,000 feet. This translates to nearly eight miles above sea level. This high altitude gives commercial flights the ability to have maximum fuel efficiency and reach high speeds because of the thin air.

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At least 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 5 inches tall. Seated height between 34 and 40 inches tall. At least 20/40 vision in both eyes for near vision and 20/200 for distant vision; must be corrected to 20/20. May not be colorblind, have had laser eye surgery or have poor depth perception.

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The most important part of any career is happiness and passion for what you do which is why one of the biggest advantages of being a pilot is the major job satisfaction that comes with it.

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An airline pilot can be an extremely stressful job due to the workload, responsibilities and safety of the thousands of passengers they transport around the world. Chronic levels of stress can negatively impact one's health, job performance and cognitive functioning.

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Yes, airplane pilots can wear glasses. (And many do.) If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you can still become a commercial, private, or military pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the military have certain minimum standards for prospective pilots.

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