Scared of flying? Overcome your fear of flying with two professional pilots who've had thousands of one-on-one conversations with nervous fliers just like you! This podcast tackles flight anxiety head-on, explaining turbulence, decoding in-flight sounds, and addressing aviation safety concerns. No sugar-coating, just honest insights from the flight deck that transform flying phobia into confidence. Whether you avoid airplanes or need medication to board, discover why flying is safe from pilots who truly understand your fears.
Episodes
Aviation Headlines vs Incidents: The Reality Gap | From the Flight Deck Podcast
9 Apr 2026 · 53 min
Aviation headlines often sound dramatic but the reality behind them is usually very different. In this episode of From the Flight Deck , we break down how media coverage can turn routine or well-handled situations into something far more alarming than they actually are. Using real examples, we…
Boeing 787 Engine Fire Leads to a Perfectly Safe Landing | From the Flight Deck Podcast
12 Mar 2026 · 49 min
A United Airlines Boeing 787 departing Los Angeles experienced compressor stalls that quickly turned into an engine fire indication shortly after takeoff. The crew declared an emergency and returned to LAX.The incident quickly made its way through social media and news headlines but what actually…
5 Nervous Flier Types | From the Flight Deck Podcast
26 Feb 2026 · 41 min
Why do some people suddenly become afraid of flying, even after years of flying without a problem?In this episode of From the Flight Deck, we break down what we’ve learned from thousands of one-on-one calls with nervous flyers through Dial A Pilot. After reviewing years of data, clear patterns…
The DCA Midair Collision: Final Findings | From The Flight Deck Podcast
12 Feb 2026 · 1 h 10
The NTSB has released key findings on the Washington DC mid-air collision between a CRJ-700 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. In this episode of From the Flight Deck, we break down the NTSB report in plain English explaining what happened, the contributing factors, and what it means for…
Airline Pet Peeves | From The Flight Deck Podcast Ep.15
2 Sept 2025 · 1 h 01
From the Flight Deck Podcast is finally back after 6 months! In Episode 15, Christian joins us to discuss airline pet peeves, straight from our community poll. We asked what bothers YOU most about flying, and now we’re breaking it down from a pilot’s perspective. Whether you’re a nervous flyer, a…
5 Things Nervous Fliers Need to Know After the DC Accident
14 Feb 2025 · 18 min
Kyle discusses the 5 things nervous fliers need to know following the Washington DC aircraft accident. Book a call with us here.
How Aircraft Accidents of Years Past Further Aviation Safety Today
29 Jan 2025 · 43 min
In this episode, Kyle breaks down a massive moment in aviation when John K. Lauber, a member of the U.S National Transportation Safety Board recognized that although an aircraft accident in 1987 was pilot error, systemic issues led to the error. This became a groundbreaking moment in aviation…
What is a Go Around? Landing at Airports with Short Runways (LGA, SAN, OGG)
15 Jan 2025 · 43 min
Today, on the From The Flight Deck podcast, we take listener questions from nervous fliers about go-around and whether some airports are more challenging than others to land at. Dial A Pilot is here to help the nervous flier community understand aviation and overcome their fear of flying through…
Chicago O'Hare Air Traffic Controller, Mike McCabe
1 Jan 2025 · 1 h 21
Today's episode is an amazing one. Chicago O'Hare Air Traffic Controller Mike McCabe joins us to explain how he and his colleagues keep us safe in the skies above Chicago. We dive into questions from nervous fliers such as: 1. How do you keep airplanes separated? 2. Is being an air traffic…
Boeing 737 First Officer Lisa, Depressurizations, Career Paths to the Flight Deck
18 Dec 2024 · 43 min
In today's episode, Kyle is joined by Boeing 737 First Officer, and Dial A Pilot member, Lisa! We take questions from our audience regarding depressurizations, what that means, how they happen, and how we handle them in the flight deck to ensure we safely land the airplane. Ready to overcome your…
Questions from Our Listeners: Turbulence, Takeoff, and more!
4 Dec 2024 · 44 min
In this episode, we tackle these questions from listener Dawn: 1). Sometimes during turbulence, the plane drops rather than bumps. Why is that happening? What is the most drop you have felt and when should I worry? 2). Take us through a take off and landing and what we are feeling in our seats and…
Scandinavian Turbulence, How Airport Infrastructure Furthers Aviation Safety
20 Nov 2024 · 51 min
In this episode, Joey and Kyle discuss the recent severe turbulence encounter on a Scandinavian flight that led to a diversion back to Copenhagen. Joey and Kyle also discuss airport infrastructure and how airports are designed to ensure aviation safety. Tune in to hear more! Ready to book a Dial A…
Our Best Flights, Our Worst Flights
6 Nov 2024 · 43 min
In this episode, Kyle and Joey simply tell stories of their time in aviation. We find that our clients often feel significantly better after hearing that neither Kyle nor Joey has ever experienced any of the significant events that keep nervous travelers up at night. Ready to book your call? You…
Fear of Flying with Dr. Holly Batchelder
23 Oct 2024 · 33 min
In this episode of Dial A Pilot , we sit down with Dr. Holly Batchelder, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Anxiety, OCD, and Couples therapy. Dr. Batchelder shares her personal journey of overcoming flight anxiety, which she first experienced as a PhD student nearly a decade ago.…
Captain Brett Cookston, Fear of Flying Questions, and How Captain Brett Built His Career
9 Oct 2024 · 47 min
In this episode, we’re joined by Captain Brett Cookston, an experienced pilot from the Dial A Pilot team, who is here to help nervous flyers overcome their fear of flying. Captain Brett answers listener questions and shares his career journey, shedding light on the reassuring facts about aviation…
Navigating Fear: How Parenthood and Media Shaped Britt's Fear of Flying
25 Sept 2024 · 42 min
In this episode, we sit down with Britt, who opens up about how becoming a parent changed her relationship with flying. After having kids, she developed a fear of flying fueled by the constant negative media reports that painted air travel as unsafe. Britt shares her journey of navigating these…
From Flap Failure to Flight School: How Kristin Overcame Her Fear of Flying
11 Sept 2024 · 46 min
In this episode, we sit down with Kristin, who transformed her fear of flying into a passion for aviation. Kristin shares her experience of a flap failure on an airliner, an event that shook her confidence in air travel and led her to run off an airplane before it even left the gate. But Kristin's…
Turbulence... Specifically Denver, Why So Much?
28 Aug 2024 · 35 min
From the Flight Deck is back with another episode in our podcast! This time, we are answering YOUR questions. Today, we answer this from Kerry: "Go over turbulence and how it’s not dangerous - again! I can’t hear it enough", as well as "What is wrong with the Denver airport and why is it ALWAYS so…
Will Airplanes Always Need Pilots? Here's What We Think
14 Aug 2024 · 27 min
This question comes to us from listener, Kara: "Looking into the future of the airline industry, do you ever foresee pilot-less planes ever being consideration? As we move to driver-less cars such as waymo, do you think this could happen in the aviation industry? Why or why not?" Want to have your…
How Can You Trust Someone You've Never Met?
31 Jul 2024 · 29 min
From the Flight Deck is back with another episode in our podcast! This time, we are answering YOUR questions. Today, we answer this from Danielle: "How do I trust the pilots when I don’t know them, know their training, know if they are having a good/bad day, know if they’re extra tired, mentally…