By        Norm Goyer

Norm, I am finished with my schooling and have a good job earning enough to take good care of my growing family. I would like to purchase an aircraft so we can take family trips and maybe a vacation to the seashore. Unfortunately, my wife is afraid to fly, even in an airliner, and freezes up when I even mention owning an aircraft. Do you think  it is possible she will ever change her mind? I really want to share my love of flying with my family. The kids are still too young to have an opinion at this time, but the love of my life sure does. Walter, email

The Cessna Cardinal is popular with women as it is very easy for them to slide into the cabin without any awkward climbing involved.

Hi Walter, I have indeed some strong opinions on this subject and for years I actually studied it to help sell aircraft; once the significant other likes the idea, the sale is far easier. My wife, Tina, of 62 years, has always loved to fly; in fact her whole family shared her feelings. Our first date included a flight in a PT-19. We have flown ocean-to-ocean 27 times in small aircraft, including amphibians and warbirds. We even spent three months living out of a Cessna 182, stuffed with video and audio recording equipment as we toured the United States, Mexico and Canada, producing aviation video tapes. Relaxed? Tina even falls asleep during sailplane rides, has parachute jumped, not tandem but solo. Obviously our marriage does not have this problem.

Some women, and yes, some men, but not as often, will never get over all their fears. There are simply some people who are afraid to fly in small planes and always will be. There are several possible reasons for this condition; lack of knowledge, ingrown personal fear and fear of loss of their family. Of course all pilots know that a trip in the family car is far more dangerous than any trip in a well-maintained aircraft with a proficient pilot.

Here are some counter-points you can try:

Beautiful Big Bear Lake is an easy flight and makes an ideal sightseeing ride.

Your income could increase if your business or job could benefit from private aircraft travel.

You could visit distant family members more often by flying rather than a long tiring road trip.

You could lease back your plane to a local FBO and obtain some tax credits plus still enjoy it for personal travel.

And the old favorite, “Would you rather have me hang around a bar or be at the airport with the kids?”

While I was searching for ways to sell a ramp full of new Cessna Cardinal Classics,  I uncovered the fact that most wives were secretly afraid of what would happen if the engine stopped. Most believed that if the engine “stalled,” reverting to auto terminology; the airplane would crash with them in it.

Here was the method I used to overcome that fear once and for all:       I would arrange a flight with the wife and bring along Tina, the husband would remain on the ramp. One of the most important aspects of any demonstration flight, similar to this type, is to fly the aircraft super-smoothly. (If the air is bumpy, don’t go, pick another day.) Make all turns super gentle, refrain from any and all abrupt control inputs, and forget any comments on the instruments, how fast or how high; make this a ride in a Lexus with wings. Tina would keep up a happy fun conversation with the person, pointing out sights and sites on the ground keeping the person’s attention fixed on the ride and not the mechanical aspects of the flight.

Our FBO was located in the High Desert of Southern California, with its many dry lakes, nearby mountains, ski resorts, gigantic rock displays and unlimited vistas; truly a beautiful place to fly. When we were over a deserted dry lake I would say, “Your husband told me you were concerned about the engine quitting and what would happen. Absolutely nothing, except it would be very quiet and peaceful.” I would then slowly shut down the engine and being at least 3,000 feet above the ground I would glide the plane in gentle turns while Tina pointed out objects on the ground or on a nearby mountainside. I would then gently land the plane on the dry lake and we would exit. Tina would break open a picnic basket and then a short walk would reveal wild flowers in abundance.

The short flight back to the airport was usually a very happy trip with a completely relaxed passenger. Now this technique won’t work all the time, but in the many years that I’ve used this or other diversions it has been super successful, successful enough that we won both the Cessna and Piper Sales award for light-single engine aircraft in Southern California.

Walter, good luck with your dream of owning  a family aircraft. We have had a plane in our immediate family for over 60 years. And we used it. Currently, son Robert, has a Cirrus SR22.

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