Subject:  Re: My Flying Articles |
Author:
Lim Khoy Hing
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Date Posted: 18:40:45 10/02/10 Sat
Author Host/IP: 58.87.50.60.klj05-home.tm.net.my/60.50.87.58
In reply to:
Little Grasshopper
's message, "Re: Mid Autumn Festival" on 05:23:17 10/02/10 Sat
Hi LG,
I have been contributing articles to our In-Flight Magazine (Travel 3Sixty) on and off – 13 articles so far and plan to do so monthly from this month onward until I retire in March next year. My intention is to compile them into a book by the time I am fully retired.
I enjoy what I am doing. In fact I have just completed my 14th article, hopefully to be published in the December 2010 issue.
If you or anyone were flying last month (September) in any Air Asia flights on the Airbus A320, A330 or A340, you would have read this article, “Flying fear banished” which I reproduce for your reading pleasure below…
Flying fears banished…
In one of my earlier articles titled “Things that May Worry You During A Flight…” I mentioned that knowledge is the antidote to fear. With that in mind, I hope to ease more of your fears of flying with these explanations.
Air Turbulence
This continues to be the main cause of fear for passengers. Most air travelers receive a shock when they encounter turbulence for the first time, even if it’s a mild episode.
What does turbulence feel like? Well, light turbulence would manifest as some slight and rapid bumpiness. Moderate turbulence is light chops with greater intensity but with more rapid bumps. A severe one would cause the occupants to feel some force against their seat belts and any loose objects would be tossed about.
During an episode of turbulence, if you look outside the window, you might see the wings flexing a little and the engine shaking slightly on the pylon. Do not be alarmed, as they are designed to do so and the wings would not actually snap off nor would the engines drop off!
I repeat. Turbulence is nothing to worry about even in severe cases (not the extreme types). As long as you are securely fastened to your seat, the worst thing that might happen is for you to have a ‘free’ roller coaster ride.
Turbulence is part and parcel of air travel, although it can be quite discomforting - much like driving over potholes and speed bumps on a road.
Going Around
At times on a flight when you look forward to arriving at your destination as the plane lowers its landing gears and then, all of a sudden, a roar can be heard followed by the retraction of the gears.
What is going on? Well, the captain is doing a ‘go-around’. He is aborting the landing which may be caused by many reasons – such as a severe wind shear causing the landing approach to be dangerous or the runway being blocked by a last minute crippled plane.
A go-around is a very safe maneuver, similar to a take off procedure. Pilots practice it all the time and they are encouraged to do so anytime they feel the landing approach might not be very stable. This practice has avoided many potential accidents compared to previously where some pilots had tended to push on regardless of risks especially when suffering from this so-called ‘get-home-itis’ disease.
Allow me to relate a personal experience from when I flew with another airline. While flying from Kuala Lumpur to Perth on a Boeing 777, my arrival time at Perth happened to clash with the approach of some severe thunderstorms and rain. As usual, I reviewed my safety procedures and briefing for the expected difficult landing.
Unfortunately, the dark and stormy night also aggravated the situation. I could not land on the runway because of the heavy rain and the situation was made worst because the runway did not have an Instrument Landing System!
Add to that rough and turbulent wind, I had to abort the landing and divert my plane to Adelaide, about two and a half hours or about 1000 miles away. This decision was made when I found that my minimum fuel was also fast approaching!
It was the furthest diversion that I have ever made. Imagine, a thousand miles is like expecting to arrive in Kuala Lumpur but ending up in Bali instead!
When I finally landed at Adelaide instead of Perth, the passengers clapped at the safe touchdown. My Senior Flight Attendant related to me that a passenger had in fact commented that it was better to be late than to be DEAD on time after they had experienced the severity of that weather prior to the landing at Perth!
Announcements by pilots
One of the most common gripes of air passengers is the lack of announcements by pilots. Yes, you should be informed of any unusual maneuvers especially in case of a go-around – this is especially comforting for the more fearful flyers.
What passengers may not appreciate is that such a maneuver entails a very heavy load on the pilots who are more concerned with the immediate safety of the plane.
Give them some time to settle down after performing the maneuver and they would normally come back with the information. Some airlines have reacted to this complain by including a reminder in the go-around check list to keep the passengers informed.
Some Tips on flying without fears
Basically, there are quite a few things that you can do to overcome your fear. First of all, arm yourselves with knowledge about flying. Learn to understand the air safety issues and causes of ‘scary’ things such as turbulence will definitely help to lessen your anxiety. Flying is many times safer than driving.
In fact, a report by Flight International magazine states that more people have been killed on US highways in 3 months than those who have died on air accidents in the past 60 years worldwide!
Unfortunately, safety statistics does not mean very much when the real issue is how you actually feel about it. So the only way to deal with this is to adjust how you feel - that is, learn how to relax. Yes, some people meditate before a flight: when you do feel fearful during a flight, you could consciously practice relaxation exercises.
If you are lucky, you could get to talk to a pilot or the captain of the flight if you have the chance to see them waiting at the lounge. Some airlines may even allow cockpit visits in certain airspaces but after Sep 11, these opportunities are becoming very rare today
You could also keep yourself busy in the air; read a book, listen to music, play cards and so on. Do whatever you can to keep your mind occupied with good and happy thoughts. You should control your mind and not let the environment have control over you! Yes, I believe the mind is a very powerful tool.
Alternatively, consider talking to your primary care physician on whether you need a medical aid to help you relax while in the air.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article as much as I have enjoyed putting it together for you. Have a comfortable flight.
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