Fear of flying: what you feel on approach

The NHS lists flying among the situations people commonly have a phobia of, alongside heights and small spaces. This page describes some of the changes you may notice as an aircraft lands, from the FAA's pilot-training handbooks, and where the NHS suggests looking for help.^[1][2]

What changes on approach

Just before landing the pilot raises the nose in the flare. The FAA's training handbook says power is normally reduced to idle at this point, so the aircraft slows down to touchdown speed.^[2]

Very close to the runway, pilots describe a feeling that the aircraft does not want to go any lower. The FAA calls this ground effect: the ground changes the airflow around the wing, and with any extra speed the aircraft can float before it touches down.^[3]

Sometimes the crew stops the approach and climbs away instead of landing. The FAA calls this go-around a normal manoeuvre, used when the approach does not go as expected or when it is hazardous to continue.^[2]

What the NHS says

The NHS lists symptoms of a phobia that include severe anxiety and worry, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, a more noticeable heartbeat, tightness in the chest, and trembling or shaking. It lists these sources of help:^[1]

• Talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The NHS says you can refer yourself to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.^[1]
• Breathing exercises to help you relax.^[1]
• Sessions some airlines run for people with phobias.^[1]