Maybe. I never had a fear of commercial flying, but the first few lessons in a cessna 152 on a sunny day sure reminded me why people are afraid to fly.

That, and me almost killing me and instructor a few months later did that too. At least now, I can slip on landings in a very safe and accurate manner.

edit: I'm sure a few lessons can desensitize a person

Hehe - I had a couple lessons in a 150 - makes even the smallest turbo-prop commercial flight feel pretty big in comparison, doesn't it?

Glad you're still alive.

I wonder if understanding the mechanics of it all helps with the fear thing too. I seem to remember there's a decent amount of basic aerodynamics and such before they let you take the stick...

Maybe. But flying in small general-aviation aircraft, the risk of anything happening is a lot higher than with transport aircraft... Seems funny to start doing something riskier in order to be able to do something less risky...

Actually, that seems exactly right. People do exaggerated versions of what they're afraid of to get over the fear all the time. Phobic about being near snakes? A class that cures you will involve handling snakes, rather than merely being close to them.