How we can change our mind set about a fear of flying is the subject of arguments between competing therapies. First though it is important to understand how we process information, because a fear of flying is learned and has to be unlearned.

When our brain receives any information we first make sense of it by comparing it with information that we have already stored. We try a ‘best ‘fit’ match and if it looks similar we convert it into something the same, and store it in one of our many memory banks.

For example when we hear someone clap their hands we identify this by comparing what we hear and see with information in our long-term memory. If we get an immediate and suitable match we confirm that what we thought we saw and heard is in fact reality.

When we are unsure about information our brain searches our long-term memory for something that is close and then if necessary modifies the incoming information to make it fit the ‘pattern’ or ‘mental model’ that we have stored. We store many mental models about flying, especially if we have a fear of it. When we listen to radio programs where the competition is to identify a voice from a short extract of speech we rack our brains putting together various clues to put a name to the voice. A very interesting effect occurs once we have come to a conclusion; it becomes very hard to change our mind and rethink from the beginning again. We are normally stuck with that first answer and then we justify it by finding information to support of view. Rarely are we able to disaffirm what we think. However hard we try we can’t shake off that first idea.

Exactly the same things happens when a feaful flyer thinks about flying. The first thought is in the ‘bad’ category and it’s hard to dislodge the thoughts

Unfamiliar, unexpected and uncomfortable information that we receive in flight will be routed to the ‘fear’ category’ in your memory because it’s the one you’ve got open and ready to use when you go flying. Worse than that they will be available for immediate recall as soon as you are unsettled. Each time this happens you reinforce and promote their position in your memory.

These become learned ‘facts’ but they can be unlearned. That’s why it’s so important to replace misunderstandings with facts and to replace myths with reality to flush out and restock our long term memory. A clean slate is vital before applying other remedies.