[extropy-chat] FWD (TLC-Brotherhood FWD) Re: Fear of flying

[Terry W. Colvin]

[Les Strouse is the retired Air America pilot.  -Terry]

Terry,

I do know a few pilots who do not like flying in the back of the airplane.
I don't know that it is a fear or just that they don't trust someone else
at the controls.

As far as the fear of heights is concerned....not in a flying machine but
for sure on ladders, second floor or higher balconies and even escalators
that have a view down two floors or more.  Other than wild stuff like
ferris wheels one of my greatest dislikes is glass enclosed elevators
that give you a great view of the scenery but cause me to look for an
alternative.

Les Strouse

"Terry W. Colvin" <fortean1 at mindspring.com> wrote:

>FOR Les Strouse
>
>Pilot fear of heights and commercial flying appears more common than we 
>suspected.
>
>Terry
>
>I don't think the issue is height. As I said, I am a student pilot and have 
>no trouble there. Also, many pilots seem to have trouble flying commercial. 
>I know a large group of pilots and am considering an actual study regarding 
>this topic. Any opinions about the value of such a study?
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>
>>> Hi Terry,
>>> A solid list of experiments has determined that human babies
>>> (less than 1 year old - crawling stage) will not crawl - on a
>>> solid glass floor - out over a drop underneath that glass floor.
>>>
>>> They will however, if tempted or otherwise cajoled - agree to
>>> back out over the drop. But as soon as that `drop' becomes
>>> visible they immediately retreat to the non-drop portion of their
>>> environment.
>>>
>>> It seems we have a memory which says `height is dangerous' -
>>> especially if you're _not_ in control.
>>>
>>> cheers
>>>
>>> Ray D
>>>
>>> Thanks, Ray.  I remember seeing newsclips of this experiment.  If
>>> not wholly learned then this is a genetic memory.  I wonder if this
>>> experiment has included primate babies, chimps, gorillas, and orangutans?
>>>
>>> Terry
>>>
>>>
>> Well, these experiments are not true for all babies, both my daughters have
>> repeatedly tried (and sometimes succeeded in) crawling of edges of all
>> kinds. No permanent harm but I make sure that ALL possible jump-off points
>> are very well secured since these kamikaze babies has most certainly not
>> read those studies.
>> I have though and was rather surprised when they started flinging 
>> themselves > of edges...
>> Other children I know are more careful and one have never-ever required 
>> any sort of gate or protection since he is very careful and have as far as I
>> know never fallen off anything.
>> Darwin days I suppose, I hope that my daredevil cuties gain something more
>> than just bumps and sprains from being so physically forward as they are.
>>
>> /henrik



-- 
"Only a zit on the wart on the heinie of progress." Copyright 1992, Frank Rice


Terry W. Colvin, Sierra Vista, Arizona (USA) < fortean1 at mindspring.com >
     Alternate: < fortean1 at msn.com >
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