Sinking feeling on airplane?

Question

Ok, i normally like flying, and im supposed to go on a trip with my parents. But whenever i go on a plane, i get a huge sinking feeling and butterflies in my stomach on takeoff and somtimes landing. I hate it. Its the worst feeling like your falling out of the sky (i know the plane wont fall because i know a lot about aviation and how planes fly etc.) How can i overcome that darn sinking feeling?

Answer 1

People just get used to it.. When I was little, I get that from roller coaster rides all the time. But unlike you, I get high from that feeling, lol.



Over the time, from summers to summers of roller coaster rides, now it's completely gone.

Answer 2

Firstly you're right- the plane won't fall out of the sky. Even if all their engines fail an airliner can still glide down as the wings produce lift (look at the Hudson crash as a great example)

I don't know how you can get over your fear but understanding why you get the feeling might help so hear goes-



The reason it can feel like it is sinking on takeoff is because the aircraft initially is zooming down the runway and you can feel this acceleration. As it reaches a certain speed the wings are producing enough lift to carry it into the air and during that moment that it rotates and lifts you have a little inertia and so it feels like you sink for a moment. Think of the feeling you get in a lift as it starts to move when you first get in- it is the same thing.

On takeoff there is so much extra power and the pilot knows exactly which speed to rotate at in order to lift it safely into the air.

On landing you might have noticed the flaps going out? These allow the aircraft to fly at a much lower speed and lower nose attitude while helping the wings create the lift required so during approach you may feel changes in aircraft speed and nose pitch which can worry some people. It is perfectly normal though. On landing the pilot does what is called a flare- they fly it down at and around 50' the nose actually pitches up (to help the ac land in the main wheells not the nose) and also cuts the power to help the aircraft slow down. This controls the rate of descent but may feel like a small sink if they don't quite judge it right. Still perfectly safe and nothing to worry about though.

I hope that helps, otherwise just try to relax, maybe read a book to take your mind of things, think about the fun holiday ahead of you instead.

Answer 3

The sinking feeling is real in certain cases, even though it's not necessarily caused by the aircraft descending. On landing, the sinking feeling results from the actual descent of the aircraft towards the airport. However, there are other situations in which it might feel that the aircraft is sinking even though it isn't. Since the physics of the situation produce the feeling, there isn't any way to avoid it, although you can try to condition yourself to be less worried about it.



One example is a reduction in rate of climb after takeoff. When an aircraft takes off, the pilots direct it to climb very briskly until it reaches an altitude (usually 1000-1500 feet) that carries it clear of any potential obstacles such as terrain or buildings. Once it reaches that altitude, the pilots reduce the rate of climb and the aircraft climbs more gently towards its cruise altitude. When the pilots do this, it feels as if the airplane is sinking—but in fact it is still going up, only not as fast. It's similar to the feeling you get in a rising elevator as it slows down to stop at your chosen floor.



Another type you may feel a sinking sensation is in a turn. When the turn begins, because of the way coordinated turns are carried out, the airplane feels as if it is rising, rather than turning. At the end of the turn, it feels as if it is sinking, rather than straightening out. This results from the physics of turning aircraft, which lean into their turns like a bicycle or ice skater. In a turn it feels like the airplane is rising and then falling, but in fact it stays level throughout the turn.

Answer 4

Keep in mind that during takeoff, the sinking feeling is not because the plane is losing altitude, it's simply because the plane is not climbing as fast as it was before. This thought will help alot at times. The sinking feeling is natural, as humans were not built to to fly. The only way is to get used to it, and to do that, you should fly more often. You can also head down to your local flying school for a few trial flights with small aircraft like the Cessna 152. The instructor will let you fly the plane yourself, and you can have a go at climbing and descending to get used to that sinking feeling. It worked for me, so I hope it works for you too!

Answer 5

After take-off, the airplane climbs very rapidly in order to make sure it is clear of all potential obstructions. Usually it climbs like this until it is 1000-1500 feet above the ground—high enough to be clear of buildings, trees, etc. Once it has reached that altitude, the airplane levels out a bit, and climbs more slowly. This is done so that it can fly faster. It is still climbing, but not as quickly as it did just after take-off. Inside the airplane, the change in climb rate feels like the airplane is descending. It's really not descending, it's just not going up as fast as it did initially. It's a sensory illusion. This is very similar to riding in an elevator. As you go up in an elevator, you feel that you are rising, then you feel as though you are standing still. When the elevator slows down to reach its floor, it is still rising, but inside it feels like the elevator has started back down. The same illusion occurs in the airplane. The engines are usually throttled back slightly at the same time that the climb rate is made more gradual, since running them at or near full power increases wear and tear and maintenance costs. Some airports also require aircraft to do this in order to reduce noise on the ground. Flap retraction isn't the reason. The flaps are indeed retracted after take-off because they create a lot of drag and their extra lift isn't needed once the aircraft is in the air and climbing. However, the sinking feeling comes from a deliberate reduction in the climb rate for the reasons stated above. But you are never actually descending.

Answer 6

I love that feeling. Everyone could get used to it, although it's not pleasant for first timers.

Practical advice: seat in front of the plane, you'll be better.

There are also medications to numb you down so you'll feel less of it. Ask cabin crew, they'll usually have some.

Answer 7

Try chewing gum or, when you know you're about to land in about 45 just go to sleep and you'll wake up on the ground.

Answer 8

Time. It's pretty natural reaction to flying but most of us get acclimated over time.

Answer 9

you just have to get used to it :) its natural for alot of people, like it was for me until i became a glider pilot, now the feeling of take off in that is so strange,

i guess the feeling can also make the fight more exciting for alot of people

Answer 10

well, as you already know the facts already.. there is nothing you can do about it really.. everyone experiences this, and it's very normal .. it's the g-forces encountered during ascent .. things will settle once a steady altitude is reached

Answer 11

The sinking feeling I think it's because you either feel weightless or there is extra g-force you feel.

Answer 12

i hate to say this, but some people are afraid of some things, im terrified of snakes, im also a private pilot with a fear of heights(explain that one)

Answer 13

butterflies in stomach?



it thought that was the girly stuff, codeword for being horny.



any change in vertical gload that goes below +1G causes that.

Answer 14

Have you had a spinal / brain injury ?



Get healed if you have; put up with it only if medically advised !

Answer 15

Fly more often.

Answer 16

everyone gets that, i love it lol