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Wednesday, January 27

RECENT EVENTS

by Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW on Wed 27 Jan 2010 12:37 PM EST

Chat Wednesday 9 PM - 11 PM Eastern Time (new chat software)

The chat is at: http://www.fearofflying.com/talkread/chat.shtml

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Permanent Link | Cosmos

Wednesday, January 20

MOUNTAIN WAVE

by Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW on Wed 20 Jan 2010 04:26 PM EST

Chat Wednesday 9 PM - 11 PM Eastern Time (new chat software)

The chat is at: http://www.fearofflying.com/talkread/chat.shtml

New chat software has been installed. You can re-register by clicking here.

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Free Group Phone Counseling With Capt Tom Wednesday 10 PM - 11 PM Eastern Time

dial (712) 432-3900

when asked, enter the conference ID 9352101 followed by the # sign

==========

Mountain Wave

Two clients asked about "mountain wave" they experienced on flights crossing the Rockies. Mountain wave is not turbulence, but turbulence can be associated with it, or not. Mountain wave is rare. I ran into it only two or three times in thirty years of flying. I hesitate to mention something so rare out of concern that some readers will regard it as yet another thing to obsess about. But if you run into it, and you know what it is, what it feels like, and
that it is not a safety issue, chances are you will not be distressed
by it.

The only thing I can compare mountain wave to is entering a
shallow inlet on a boat traveling in the same direction as the waves.
When a wave catches up with the boat, it lift and accelerates the boat.
Then, as the wave passes underneath, the boat drops down a few inches,
and decelerates. The same thing happen in a plane when going through
the Rockies at certain places that funnel the wind, if the wind is from
a certain direction. It is a completely natural occurrence, just as waves at the shore are. The plane is just surfing a bit.

Here is what you need to know about mountain wave. In turbulence, the plane rarely moves as much as an inch, but in mountain wave, the plane rises two or three feet over a time of about five seconds, and then descend the same two or three feet in about two seconds. The rise doesn't cause much anxiety, but the descent of two to three feet takes only two seconds can be unnerving. You might think, "This is not normal". Right. Something as rare as mountain wave is not normal, but it is not a problem either.

Your reaction that this is not normal is perfect. Any time your amygdala notices something non-routine, it produces a shot of adrenalin. That shot of adrenalin wakes up your high level cognition, signaling it to pay attention to what is going on and to make an assessment of it. The shot of hormone takes control. It actually forces you to pay attention.

Where you could go wrong is believing that this perfectly normal response you are having means danger. No. It only means assessment is going on to determine whether there is danger. The slight increase in heart rate and breathing rate you are feeling is caused by the stress hormones that are also focusing your high level cognition on the non-routine situation in order to make that determination. In phobia, people confuse assessment with danger. Don't jump the gun. When you get the hormonal signal that something is non-routine, recognize you are in assessment, and not necessarily danger.

Since those two or three feet will seem like much more, use a cup with water on your tray table to prove to yourself that the plane is moving less than you think. Though the upward and
downward movement is greater than that caused by turbulence, the
distance is still minor technically.

At United, our maps were annotated to show the locations in the Rockies that could produce mountain wave and the specific wind direction required to produce mountain wave at that location. Our flight dispatchers kept track of mountain wave potential and planned our flights to avoid areas where it might develop. Both people who encountered mountain wave were on JetBlue flights. Since mountain wave is rare and easily avoided, two reports from clients about mountain wave on the same airline suggest that their dispatchers and pilots could pay more attention to routing that avoids it.

Posted Monday On The Message Board

You can read the entire thread at this link. Here is part of it.

Up and back! Made it through both flights just fine. First flight was pretty rough turbulence wise but I left my drink on my tray and just watched it. I was bouncing all around but the drink never moved, heh, so I just went back to watching my podcast. Flight back, same thing.

My fiance looked over at one point while we were bouncing around and said, "How are you doing?"

I responded, "Fine, why?" And she smiled and said, "I meant with the turbulence."

"I know," I said, smiling back.

I watched take off and landing both times, and didn't look away during turns like I used to.

I continue to be amazed, but SOAR worked. I never, ever thought I'd be able to feel the way I do in an airplane now. I didn't even need strengthening exercises!

==========

"The Miracle That I Have Been Praying For"

Hi Capt Tom

Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that your program has been the miracle that I have been praying for. I travel frequently for my job, and for the past several years I have been battling so much anxiety. I ordered your entire program last summer and I am very happy to tell you that I am about 80% improved, which is HUGE. I still get a little nervous before my flights and during turbulence, but nothing like it used to be. I enjoy reading your newsletters and other emails.

Thanks for producing this program. There is nothing else out there like it.

==========

SOAR Will Work For You Too

SOAR was established in 1982 because no programs existed that could
help people with moderate to severe difficulties. Even today, no other
program offers help that is effective except for mild difficulties. No
matter how difficult flying is for you, we can help.

Call me at 877 332-7359 between 10 AM and 6 PM Eastern time or

Set up a time online at http://soar.genbook.com

No Charge. No Obligation. Just get the information you want.

Or Enroll Right Now And Get This Over With

You will feel better as soon as you make the decision.

Full Length Course

The full length SOAR Video Course on 11 DVDs provides the maximum help possible.

More info.

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Flying in three to ten days? Get comprehensive help with SOAR Complete Relief.

Accelerated courses give you the most help possible in the time you have available.

A twenty-minute private session and unlimited group counseling sessions are included.

What you pay is 100% transferable to the SOAR Video Course 11 DVDs.

Start viewing on your computer screen in two minutes.

Do a SOAR Course "On The Go"

Get a compact version of the SOAR Course.

Load it on your laptop, iPod or other media player. More info.

==========

Unsure Which To Choose

If
you are unsure which is best for you, please call me at 877 332-7359 so
we can talk it over. You will feel better as soon as you decide to act.

We are always here to help. As you go through the program, call or email whenever you have a question or a concern.

==========

Discuss Or Schedule An Individual Session -- Call 877 332-7359

Call between 11 AM and 6 PM Eastern Time (same time zone as New York)

You'll reach me easily. The toll-free number rings my cell phone.