Recent incidents involving plane failures and crashes, along with thorough safety examinations, have heightened concerns among travelers regarding flying. There’s even a subreddit dedicated to this anxiety.
While various factors contribute to a flight’s success, takeoff and landing are often regarded as the most challenging phases.
Many seem to forget that millions of car accidents happen annually, making air travel statistically one of the safest methods of transportation.
From the 1,468 reported accidents in 2024, 770 occurred during landing and 124 during takeoff, with only 68 incidents during cruising.
Given these statistics, a pilot recently shared insights about what he enjoys most about flying.
Steve Schreiber, known as Captain Steve, engaged with viewers on his YouTube channel, which boasts over 660,000 subscribers, responding to various questions from curious passengers.
When someone asked him if pilots feel nervous during takeoff, the experienced captain provided a reassuring response: “That’s Captain Steve, I’m not nervous.” He added, “If a pilot feels more anxious at one point than another, it’s usually during takeoff.”
He elaborated, noting that during takeoff, the plane is considerably heavier, and the circumstances require more power. As the plane accelerates and burns fuel, it becomes lighter, allowing for smoother lifting off.
Schreiber also addressed a common curiosity regarding the cockpit controls, informing viewers that pilots are well-acquainted with the equipment, estimating they understand about 90% of its functions.
Although statistics indicate that takeoff is usually safer than landing, there are still risks involved, influenced by factors like weight and fuel levels.
Yet, Schreiber emphasized the importance of pilots remaining composed and using their extensive training and certifications as a guide.
External risks to aircraft can arise from factors like runway traffic, birds crossing flight paths, and potential communication errors among the crew.
He also noted that generally, the captain will address passengers before the flight to help alleviate fears and promote a sense of security.
In 2025, a few notable crashes occurred shortly after takeoff.
One tragic incident involved an Air India flight that resulted in over 200 fatalities due to a power failure shortly after departure.
In the U.S., there were collisions at LaGuardia Airport involving jets during takeoff when one plane mistakenly shared the runway with another. This incident was attributed to a misunderstanding between air traffic controllers.
In March, a FedEx flight was compelled to make an emergency landing after colliding with a bird that struck its engine, leading to a significant fire.
During the same video, Schreiber addressed another common airplane myth, stating:
“You can survive for 10-15 minutes without a device,” he remarked. He explained that modern electronic devices might interfere with navigation systems, raising concerns, as even minor faults can contribute to aviation incidents.
