Thoughts on Air Therapy

"Flying is better than a shrink"

I've had some of the deepest conversations with people while flying. It's a protected space and an opportunity to bond like no other. It's also a safe space where you can escape from the problems below.

But how far can you escape them? And are you able to anticipate if you can't?

In the June 2026 edition of AOPA's Flight Training Magazine, Craig Brown, a Sr. Aviation Technical Specialist with the association , wrote a piece called "Wind Therapy". He describes the concept of wind therapy. It's the feeling of leaving your problems behind when you ride a Harley. As a rider myself (of Moto Morini, though), I know exactly what that means. Every time I ride my bike and begin feeling the wind in my face, I concentrate on controling the bike and end up foregtting my worries. In essence, I've got more important stuff to think about. I've had a similar experience going to the firing range in Florida when I was in college. At the range I would only focus on the firearm, and didn't let any other thoughts enter my mind.

Because I've experienced wind therapy, I know how much it can shield my problems, and I've figured out when a problem is large enough that it won't work. Experiencing the limit on the ground can be very helpful in determining personal minimums when it comes to emotional distress. The IMSAFE acronmy makes us reflect on our state of body and mind, but there is not fail-proof method to tackle a few of those letters: chronic fatigue, stress, and emotions.

It comes down to professionalism, maturity, and personal experiences. Are you professional and mature enough to recognize your state of mind may be compromised? Personal experiences can help you grow and mature, and in doing that, understand what your limit is.

Seeking friendly advice is another option available to you. An objective external opinion can be a revealer of latent emotions. Maybe fly with a friend when you're undergoing some difficult times, and see if air-therapy works for you. When I need a friend to talk to the airlpane behinds a fantastic shrink's couch. I've done it with multiple friends, always with positive results.

But again, you have to experience that air-therapy to know if it works for you. When in doubt, don't fly, but your answer cannot always be giving up. Instead, find a way to gently test your limits, always with proper mitigations in place to guarantee appropriate risk management.