Relaxation/Desensitization in the Treatment of Flight Anxiety in Student Naval Aviators and Flight Officers

Abstract

The military has taken considerable interest in ways of bettering the performance of its aviators, especially in relation to the deterioration of flight performance due to anxiety in the cockpit (Tucker & Reinhardt, 1966). Psychoanalytic therapy has had minimal success in reducing the level of anxiety experienced in the aircraft, despite the fact that it provides insight into the problem of flying phobias (Goorney, 1973). In recent years, the behavioral approach of systematic desensitization has been used to treat anxiety, specifically anxiety associated with probias; however, a review of the literature only revealed a paucity of current research conducted with aviation personnel and no literature dealing specifically with student aviators. This approach has been used by the Royal Air Force who reported a reasonable success rate of treating aviators with “flying phobias.” Their success rate was reported to be between 33% and 60% (Gerbert & Oberhola, 1973; O’Connor & Lister, 1973). These studies only used experienced pilots as patients in their therapy program. These patients were also screened prior to therapy, taking only those patients who had a focal state of anxiety rather than generalized anxiety pertaining to flying.