Aviophobia, or the fear of flying, is a common issue for many people. Now, there is an innovative solution for such individuals - direct consultations with professional pilots.
This initiative originated from a handful of pilots providing 15-minute phone briefings to their nervous friends and acquaintances about the ins and outs of flying. This concept has now grown into a larger, more organized venture.
Welcome to "Consult A Pilot", a new platform inaugurated this year. It allows fearful travelers to get detailed information about their flight directly from the pilots. Kyle, a veteran pilot with over a decade of flying experience for a prominent U.S. airline, is the brains behind this unique idea. The concept emerged from his regular chats with his sister-in-law about flight mechanics.
"She would often reach out to me before her flights," Kyle shared. "We would cover a range of flight-related topics, from turbulence and optimal flight timings to understanding the different noises an airplane makes."
In a conversation with a fellow pilot, Kyle discovered he wasn't the only one addressing these flight-related queries.
"That's when it struck me that there are many people who fear flying due to their lack of understanding about it," Kyle recalled. "On the other hand, there are several pilots who possess in-depth knowledge of flying and take pleasure in discussing it with passengers. They're more than willing to make themselves approachable."
The process to access this service is simple. Interested individuals can visit their website, consultapilot.com, and arrange a 15-minute conversation at their convenience. For a $50 fee, they can connect with a pilot who has experience piloting a wide array of aircraft, from 747s to commuter planes.
Kyle mentioned that the inquiries he often encounters relate to turbulence and what would happen if an airplane's engine were to fail.
"Most questions surround turbulence, largely due to people not understanding what causes it," he commented. As for the possibility of an engine failure, Kyle reassured that multiple safeguards are in place to ensure the plane can safely complete its journey.
