Frequently Asked Questions

 It can be understood as the mental thought of uneasiness or distress in taking a flight. 

 United Nations, through its Aviation wing, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)  has determined that 4 in 10 passengers world wide suffer some form of Flight Anxiety. The figure is increasing steadily due to negative influence of media and the formal environment on board aeroplanes as well as at the airports.    

 Flight Anxiety is seen across passengers of all ages, regions and social status. Many 'jet setters' and frequent fliers suffer different levels of flight Anxiety. Passengers often mask their anxiety with prayers, closed eyes and earpods. More often they take alcohol or medicine to desensitize their activity level. However, few matured passengers inform the Flight Attendant or their fellow passenger to seek their help and cooperation before anxiety overcomes them. In few cases the so called 'unruly passengers' on board are actually anxiety passengers who reach the trigger threshold for one reason or the other. 

  
Sadly, yes. Every other air traveller is a potential fearful flyer. Infact, 90 percent of fearful flyers were once upon a time one of those happy, passionate, jet setting passengers. It takes just one turbulence event or a bad flight to turn you fearful. When it comes to flight Anxiety, we all are sitting on the fence. That's how 40 percent of air travellers worldwide suffer some form of flight anxiety

  
 Yes, he/ she can by way of comparison. Most passengers are happy flying on planes. If you are not one amongst them, you are most likely suffering Flight Anxiety. 

Flight Anxiety affects health, wealth and happiness quotient. If anxiety is not overcome at first instance, the thoughts solidify in ones mind and lead to a chronic case. With passage of time, the person looses his determination to overcome it.   

 A young person has many air miles to log before he can call it a day. Flight Anxiety programs demand quite a bit of unlearning and relearnig  the facts the correct way which is easier at a younger age. 

 It is said that if you have had a cockpit experience, you can never get flight anxious. A Flight Anxiety Prevention program with a domain expert encompassing these psychological aspects can prevent onset of Flight Anxiety. 

Yes, there can be four categories of Flight Anxiety.

Mild:The passenger feels the tinkle but can’t really quantify it to himself. He flies without any issues but keeps wondering if he is in any way different from the happy fliers. This phase is usually seen as onset of Flight Anxiety.  

Moderate:The passenger has already made up his mind about his safety and the safety of the aeroplane in specific phase of the flight. Such passengers try to avoid flights but come onboard with friend, colleague or family members whom they trust.  

Severe:The passenger has a strong belief that the aeroplanes and the aviation environment is unsafe and he avoids flights to barest minimum, usually under strong medication.  

Extreme:A passenger with extreme anxiety is a foregone case of Severe Anxiety who  has decided that he will never take a flight whatever be the circumstances.   

   
  Yes, from a treatment perspective, Cockpit Vista has for the first time classified anxiety passengers in terms of 'levels' so that passengers can be logcally treated.  Level 1 – Passengers who are most likely to turn happy flier after attending a Flight Anxiety Removal Program.    Level 2 – Those requiring help from Psychologist or Counsellor over and above our flight Anxiety Removal program.  Level 3 – Passengers who may require help from a doctor / Psychiatrist followed by  confidence building measures at a Flight Anxiety Removal Program in Cockpit Vista. 

 Not really. Upon realising any discomfort associated with flying, the age old practice of going to a family doctor is recommended in case of Flight Anxiety too. A family doctor who knows you in person will help identify if the underlying reason is clinical or not. Clinical cases need to be treated by Doctor before you attend a flight anxiety removal program. All other cases of flight anxiety can be addressed at Flight Anxiety Removal Programs by our  Aviation Safety Consultant specialising in flight anxiety removal. In case the passenger requires further attention of a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist it can be taken on recommendation of of our domain specialist. Medical disposal (taking anti anxiety drugs) preferably be the last option in dealing with flight anxiety. It is always advisable to seek help step by step starting with a Flight Anxiety consultant.  

Yes, most cases of Flight Anxiety can be addressed. Most passengers fall in Level 1 category until they delay the redressal. Level 1 is essentially due to misconception, misplaced information leading to lack of trust in pilots, aeroplanes and aviation at large. Situation arising from level 1 can be reversed by attending a professionally conducted Flight Anxiety Removal (FAR) program like the ones at Cockpit Vista. We will learn more about the FAR program in another question. A passenger usually migrates to the next level (Level 2) if his doubts remain unanswered and he builds up his own perception of negative thoughts. Cockpit Vista recommends such persons to take a level 1 capsule of FAR program and visit an aviation Psychologist or counsellor, if required. Given the right inputs about aeroplane, aviation and piloting, an Aviation qualified Psychologist can helps you channelise and built positive energies. Very few of the passengers may require visit to a doctor for clinical help. Such level 3 passengers are usually required to take medicine as help. Flight Anxiety is therefore a subject to be dealt primarily by a Flight Anxiety consultant.   

Flight Anxiety consulting requires an empathetic understanding of aviation from  a passenger's perspective. This is what makes a Flight Anxiety Consultant unique. He should be visibily seen as a person with all these traits in one person - pilot, cabin crew, Aero engineer, ATC, airport manager, a counsellor. Flight Anxiety consultant is therefore a single point of contact for an anxious air traveller. The starting point of anxiety counselling is the trust on the counsellor. 

Cockpit Vista specalises in Flight Anxiety consulting. In Cockpit  Vista, you will find a trust worthy friend, a counsellor and  aviation safety specialist who will help replace your myths with facts.   
 Most of the passengers suffer level 1 anxiety which is associated with misconceptions, and misplaced doubts leading to lack of trust on aeroplanes and aircrew. Cockpit Vista offers a unique program conducted by an Aviation Safety Consultant and comprises of flight experience in a real size Simulator, instruction, discussion and hands on flying by the passengers to remove the root cause of anxiety. Cockpit Vista  facility consist of a open door Flight Deck and Passenger cabin. You take the cockpit seat and fly the plane as the pilots do. Cockpit Vista works on the underlying principle that a passenger cannot have Flight Anxiety if he has flown a plane himself and if he has been demonstrated the safely aspects under supervision of a experienced consultant. Flight Anxiety removal programs are tailor made for each guest and conducted in a profession manner. Cockpit Vista also makes measured recommendations in case the passenger requires further help from a Psychologist or a Doctor 

Reasons for Flight anxiety (or for that matter any anxiety) is specific to individual and the treatment has to be tailor made for that person. Someone asked us, you have only 2000+ clients as compared to 50000 with some other schools abroad. That's true, you get an impressive count if a school conducts group courses often in batches of 10 or more. But,  for a scientifically proven reason that we stated in beginning, we undertake private courses only.