How do you get passengers over the fear of flying?

Have you considered that they are not necessarily afraid of flying, but of
flying a private plane with someone who they are not familiar with, or not
totally comfortable with?

As a non pilot - I would NOT get into a private (cessna type, mooney type)
plane with ANYONE I currently know. At least when I fly commercial, I know
that they have at least had some kind of professional training (I hope)!

I know the chances are VERY small for an incident, even in private flight.

Just my non-pilot perspective Gerald. Perhaps your friends are trying to be
diplomatic?


"Gerald Sylvester" wrote in message
news
I recently got my PPL and find that most people are scared sh*tless to
go up. One friend came along and was just blown away and had a ton
of fun. Just about everyone else is "oh my god, I am so scared
of airplanes." This weekend I was going to go with my CFI to celebrate
my passing my checkride in a brand new SR-20 and people are still
shaking in their boots scared to hell and simply will not go.

Is this me or is it just the general public?

Any ideas? I hope this doesn't sound stupid but just my impression the
since passing my checkride.

Gerald

patience!!

my mom and dad visited soon after i got my cert. it was a hot summer afternoon
and i was desperate to show off my new skills. i knew she had fear of heights
and was hesitant, but i forced her into it. as we were taxiing she was almost
crying, forced me to shut down - and headed back to the FBO.

good thing too - as my dad and i were cruising over denver we were getting mod.
turb, and 3-400 ft up/down drafts. my dad was calmer than i was.

the conditions were so back we aborted our landing at centenniel, headed back
to FNL, and the the rollout a gust of wind almost swerved me off the runway on
rollout.

my mom was sitting happily in the FBO watching the weather channel drinking
coffee.

lesson learned, and thinking back, i'd probably be more than nervous too -
especially being stuck in the back seat

fast forward to a few years and lots of hours later:

when my mom visited last fall she finally agreed to go up with me - and we took
an afternoon trip up to wyoming in a more spacious 182. i informed her of all
flight characteristics - cutting back the engine, banks, etc. she had a great
time for a first time pax, followed and tracked are time with the GPS, and the
only time she clenched the seats were during our turn to base - and even said
"looks like we're too far right" as i overshot slightly.

learn from my mistake - and don't push anyone