For much of my life, I was terrified of flying. Every midflight sound and bump alarmed me. My brain obsessed about worst case scenarios ahead of any trip. At the same time, my dreams required air travel. Something had to change.

Virtual Flight

During the pandemic, Microsoft released Flight Simulator 2020. It’s a realistic computer game which allows you to fly a variety of planes in any location on Earth. The simulator’s release allowed many people to enjoy virtual tourism when it was impossible in real life.

At the same time, the game’s community allowed me to learn about aviation. I learned about the “wrr wrr wrr” sound made by airplanes built by Airbus before takeoff. I learned about the “thunk” of a retracting landing gear as soon as you leave the ground. Topics like decision making, emergency procedures, air traffic control, weather discussions and aircraft instruments began to make sense.

I became fascinated with the mechanics of aviation, as well as its’ inherent wanderlust.

Gaining Interest in Airplanes

My house is located near multiple airports, like Sky Harbor International Airport and Chandler Regional Airport. At any given time, there could be a Delta flight overhead leaving for the East Coast or a small private Cessna headed to Colorado.

Since then, a new habit of mine has been to bicycle around nearby airports. Chandler’s Paseo Canal has a bench which sits just below the flight path. I can take a break from my bike ride and watch small general aviation aircraft. Despite having never flown, I almost feel familiar with the runway’s approach from the hours I’ve spent in the simulator.

Further away from home, there is also a pathway alongside Sky Harbor’s runways. The airport is one of the busiest in the United States, so the variety of aircraft is astonishing. The route also provides a direct connection to downtown Tempe, so I can bike alongside the lake and through Arizona State University along the way.

Losing Fear of Flight

My perception of flying has changed since I took the time to learn about it. Now, when I get onto an Airbus, I smile when I hear other passengers asking about the “wrr wrr wrr” sound. That “thunk” in the floor just after we leave the ground is expected. A sudden drop as the flaps are retracted brings me less fear.

There are parts of flight which still concern me. We had rough turbulence on a return flight from Italy that worried me. Even though I understood the mechanics of flying against the jet stream, the unexpected bumps got to me.

There are also the current dangers associated with our airport capacities. We all know this is a current risk. However, I remind myself that I take a risk every time I bike or drive.

The Opportunities of Air Travel

Phoenix is my hometown. Arizona has provided me with many opportunities over my lifetime. However, as we all know, this city gets hot in the summertime.

I’ve tried multiple times to move to cooler climates, but it has never worked out. I still hope to eventually move to a more temperate city someday. Until then, summer trips to the Pacific Northwest have provided my escape.

I’ve found my favorite Friday and Saturday Delta routes which allow me to arrive early in the morning in Seattle. Then, late afternoon Monday return flights provide me with the most possible time in the Evergreen State. It’s not a regular trip, but I make sure to go at least once a year.

These escapes for my mental health would not be possible without air travel. The drive is too long considering the time off limitations of my job.

My eventual plan is to incorporate my Seattle flight with a bicycling trip. I’d like to fly my bicycle to SeaTac, store the bike box at the airport’s luggage storage, and leave directly from the airport. I haven’t confirmed yet whether this is possible, but the logistics make sense so far. I also have ties to Portland, so I hope to do a similar trip there.