ABSTRACT
Some readers—even mental health professionals themselves—may be surprised to learn that psychologists and psychotherapists have been closely associated with the airline industry for many years, working to support and consulting to passengers, aircrew, and airlines. This speciality is known as "clinical aerospace psychology". A variety of inter-related topics are explored, ranging from the mental health of airline pilots to the causes and treatments of travel phobias. Some overt psychological recommendations are also given for ways in which mental health workers might improve the psychological well-being of those who fly on planes. For those of us working in the mental health profession, we have become quite used to the notion that a fear of flying is irrational-something experienced by phobic and anxious personalities. In a profit-driven industry, mental health welfare tends to be marginalized and regarded as a luxury, unless a pilot becomes overtly depressed or alcoholic.
