Stop Scaring Your Passengers

One of the more common complaints heard when pilots gather is that someones spouse and kids wont fly with them or dont like flying in little airplanes. The person issuing the lament insists he (its almost invariably he) cant figure out why. Often the reason is he has scared the bejabbers out of his family members at least once and has displayed absolute cluelessness when it comes to making the flight an enjoyable experience.

rdurden

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots often inadvertently scare family passengers, leading to reluctance to fly, primarily due to poor communication and a failure to consider passenger comfort or perception of safety.
Technically safe pilot actions like running a fuel tank dry, performing certain maneuvers, or encountering turbulence can be terrifying for passengers if not explained or actively avoided.
To ensure a positive experience, pilots must prioritize clear communication about flight procedures, minimize anxiety-inducing behaviors like constant "fiddling," and proactively address passenger comfort through smooth flying, cleanliness, and amenities like sick sacks or restroom solutions.

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One of the more common complaints heard when pilots gather is that someone’s spouse and kids won’t fly with them or “don’t like flying in little airplanes.” The person issuing the lament insists he (it’s almost invariably he) can’t figure out why. Often the reason is he has scared the bejabbers out of his family members at least once and has displayed absolute cluelessness when it comes to making the flight an enjoyable experience. In some cases, the things the pilots do are perfectly safe, but they don’t realize that their passengers don’t understand what is happening and get scared.