Many people fear flying which is quite understandable in one way but also irrational in another. Statistics show flying is one of the safest way to travel. However the risk factor , drama and amount of people killed in one sitting tends to raise the rear factor higher for some.

Here are few statistics from the United States:

What are the odds of dying ?

  • Cardiovascular disease: 1 in 2
  • Smoking (by/before age 35): 1 in 600
  • Car trip, coast-to-coast: 1 in 14,000
  • Bicycle accident: 1 in 88,000
  • Tornado: 1 in 450,000
  • Train, coast-to-coast: 1 in 1,000,000
  • Lightning: 1 in 1.9 million
  • Bee sting: 1 in 5.5 million
  • U.S. commercial jet airline: 1 in 7 million

[Sources: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California at Berkeley]

Accidental Deaths by Cause

  • 100 on commercial flight
  • 850 by electric current
  • 1000 on bicycle
  • 1452 by gunfire
  • 3000 complications with medical procedures…
  • 3600 by inhaling or ingesting foreign object
  • 5000 by fire
  • 5000 by drowning
  • 5300 by poisoning
  • 8000 pedestrians
  • 11000 at work
  • 12000 by falls
  • 225000 at home
  • 46000 in car  

[Bureau of Safety Statistics, National Transportation Safety Board]

Best get on a plane quickly if safety is first!!!

As for myself I love to fly. First flying as a 7 year old in a Britannia, hopping to Qatar from London with many stops, Beirut, Baghdad, Kirkuk Bahrain and finally Doha. Not the same place as nowadays but a little sheikdom and Bedouin in those empty landscapes. Now towering dramatic skylines architecturally wet dreams come to life, also empty but the phallic nature of the society is embodied in the skyline.

I remember the first jet plane a Comet 4C and all those in between till the giants of today. And every time I get on board I feel a sense of delighted anticipation and make sure I sit by the window and thrill as the engines roar for takeoff followed by the pressure into the back of the seat and soaring. Wow. 

I am sad if you do not enjoy it and have made some recordings for you to help the journey along. Never forgetting the Bach ‘Rescue Remedy’, marvellous for any anxiety, always keep a bottle or there are pastilles now. It helped my little dog Sox go to the vets and she didn’t have any belief systems…. http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-information/

Fear of flying is not diminishing however, so here are some things for you to try and occupy yourself whilst focusing on the adventure ahead and being amazed at the distance we can travel now and the wonderful experiences ahead. Not to forget the joy of coming home…

Some beautiful images of nature examples to watch:

Some techniques to help you relax which you can download and listen to at any time.

Some additional Information:

  1. Statistics:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=safety+stats+for+flying+comparisons&view=detail&&mid=C8CF59E29B0634DB41C2C8CF59E29B0634DB41C2

  1. Flying Phobia, you are not alone!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/28/fear-of-flying-phobia-we-cant-overcome

  1. And naturally Jonathon Livingstone Seagull, for the child of the 60s.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Illusions+Richard+Bach+Quotes&view=detail&&mid=EFA819D9A8B550815A46EFA819D9A8B550815A46

  1. Not to forget Erica Jong’s famous book from 1973 nothing to do with flying but may keep you distracted, adults only please!  

http://www.ericajong.com/flying.htm

  1. There are many other training courses to help with you easier flying using a range of techniques. Whatever works for you so you can enjoy flying experience.