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- Fear of flying? – Take a helicopter ride!


Manuela

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So, picture this: I've always been afraid of flying and I am always feeling anxious when flying, however I was very happy to notice that flying a helicopter is amazing and I really loved it. There is a great difference between the feelings one may have when flying a plane vs. a helicopter.. I thought it's useful to know, for people out there that may have a flying fob, that a helicopter ride feels different. I've written all about the experience here:

 

http://about-beautiful.com/2014/12/fear-of-flying-take-a-helicopter-ride/

 

I hope you guys enjoy it.

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I used to love giving rides. You can see what a special thing being a pilot is...

 

A couple stories:

 

South Carolina county fair, I'm in a Hughes 300, doing rides. A couple Deputies are crammed in, big fellas, I'm pressed against the left door, flying with ankle, wrist and finger tips, being smooth. The peace officers have their professional stone faces on, but their body language is loud and clear, they're digging it (translated, enthusiastic participation), until I get a little aggressive, base to final... A left hand drops onto my right leg and clamps, hard. O k a y, relax the turn a little and hope I can walk afterwards. Some bruising...

 

Family, including grandma. Three trips, two passengers at a time, adult and kid. Grandma, too, is impassive. In fact she makes the deputies look like hams, not even body language. Everybody else smiling and waving goodbye as they leave- not her. I guess a Southern lady doesn't...

Anyhow, later, sunset-ish (the boss doesn't 'do' nights) and we're packing up to go, Dad comes back and asks if we can do one more?

Yeah, sure.

He says Grandma really loved the ride, wants to go again if possible. He reaches into his pocket, "Here's all I have left. Maybe you can show her the house from the air and then fly her around 'til that money runs out?" Got it, will do.

Again, the old lady is completely undemonstrative. If she hadn't walked off unassisted, I wouldn't have known she had a pulse, either time.

 

I could get tired of rides, but occasionally done, it reminds of why I like this.

Edited by Wally
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People think I'm pulling their chain when I tell them I'm afraid of heights. Except its not a joke. You won't catch me on a ladder. However I seem to have no trouble with doors off at 200ft with the bird lying over at something approaching 90 degrees of bank and near zero airspeed.

Edited by Rotorhead84
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People think I'm pulling their chain when I tell them I'm afraid of heights. Except its not joke. You won't catch me on a ladder. However I seem to have no trouble with doors off at 200ft with the bird lying over at something approaching 90 degrees of bank and near zero airspeed.

I also seem to have a fear of heights but have no issues in helicopters. First two or three flights got to me a little, but not anymore.

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