Written by Alex Gervash, commercial pilot (31 years) and fear of flying specialist (18 years, 16,000+ cases treated)
Understanding the physics behind flight helps reduce fear. Learn how wings generate lift and why planes are designed to stay airborne naturally.
Using the example of a speedboat, you can clearly see the wing that lifts the nose of the boat out of the water, and, in exactly the same way, lifts an airplane off the ground.
When a wing moves through water at high speed, the pressure beneath it becomes high, while the pressure above it becomes low. This difference in pressure pushes the multi-ton object out of the water.
With an airplane, exactly the same thing happens. The only difference is that instead of water, the wing moves through the air. Just like water, air has a high density, especially at high speed.
So there is no “void” beneath the wings. Instead, there is a huge “cushion” of high-pressure, “viscous” air. In that sense, an airplane in the air is like a fly in a jar of honey. Keep this image in mind next time you get that feeling of a void beneath your plane.
In Short
Understanding the physics behind flight helps reduce fear. Learn how wings generate lift and why planes are designed to stay airborne naturally.
Trained in psychology and trauma therapy (EMDR, Somatic Experiencing)
Founder of phobia.aero & SkyGuru App
Alex Gervash leverages 31 years as a commercial pilot and deep psychology and trauma therapy expertise to help individuals conquer aviophobia through his platform, phobia.aero. Having guided over 16,000 people past panic attacks on planes and turbulence fear, Alex understands how the autonomic nervous system contributes to aviation anxiety. As the creator of the SkyGuru app, which supports 200,000+ users, he provides every nervous flyer with scientifically-backed tools to dismantle a lifelong airplane phobia. His unique approach to aerophobia therapy bridges the gap between technical aviation safety and specialized treatment for those struggling with a persistent flying phobia.
