WORTH THE READ: NEIL MORTINE GUEST EDITORIAL

Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Neil Mortine,  a marketing and relations executive, RAF Supporter, and husband of RAF Ohio Liaison Christine Mortine.

An Aerophobic Speaks Out

My name is Neil, and I suffer from Aerophobia – an extreme, irrational fear of flying. My fear includes take offs, landings, being locked in small spaces, loss of control, pre-flight anticipation, and motion sickness.

I say this with embarrassment, knowing that flying is statistically safer than driving a car or perhaps even walking out your front door. But knowing that doesn't help.

My wife Christine is a recognized and experienced aviator and safety advocate in an industry where less than 10% of pilots are women. She is a CFII, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and accomplished backcountry pilot. She is an officer in numerous aviation groups.

Christine once skillfully guided her Cessna 185 into a heavily wooded suburban neighborhood following engine failure. Her primary thought was “not to kill anyone else.” Three weeks after her emergency landing, she was flying and teaching again.

None of this eases my fears, but I bravely move forward. It’s exciting locating our house from above, flying between canyon walls and landing in remote backcountry locations. It’s truly beautiful — when I open my eyes. 

I’ve met many incredible people from the Recreational Aviation Foundation who share a passion for its mission. In my career, I’ve served many clients and on numerous boards. Rarely have I seen an organization more focused, or more consistent and precise in its messaging and branding — and more enjoyable to be around — than the RAF.

I enjoy the thoughtful and well-organized spouse events at RAF volunteer gatherings, often being the only male. The restaurants, museums, alpaca farms, skijoring competitions, and microbrewery visits are awesome.

Another group I enjoy is the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots. Male spouses are referred to as “forty-nine-and-a-halvers,” (yes, half a human being), damaging my already low aviation self-esteem. Regardless, I wear my “Friends of the 99s” hat and lapel pin proudly.

When Christine and I travel together, it’s often assumed I’m the pilot. Based on the lopsided gender percentage difference, I understand the perception. When I explain that Christine is the pilot and I have a career in marketing and communications, interest in me quickly fades and they look desperately for her.

I’m very quiet — almost mute — when flying with Christine. I don’t want to distract her. I limit my witty banter and forego sudden movements. She has warned me not to touch anything. But I’m 6’2” and my arms, feet and legs are touching everything. She once referred to me as “dead weight.” And it didn’t sound positive.

We made a backcountry flight from Boise, ID to Sisters, OR several years ago over beautiful remote and roadless terrain. Ten minutes into the flight, I felt an urge to urinate. This was after no water or coffee consumption for hours to avoid such a situation. I asked how much longer before we landed, and Christine gave me the estimated arrival time and said, “hold it.” The urge accelerated. I asked if she could land the plane for a few minutes, but she pointed to the landscape below and suggested using a clear zip lock bag, “and make it quick.” She added that she would “kill me” if I got “one drop” in her plane. Despite being more nervous than ever, I successfully handled the problem. We landed in Sisters with a strong crosswind, and I had to do the walk of shame across the ramp holding the bag in clear sight of all observers.

In conclusion, I’m doing my best to overcome my flying anxiety, but it’s a work in progress. I’ve received great counsel from RAF members. But some advice is better than others. To overcome my fear of snakes, I was invited on a snake hunt. I had no choice but to report this person to social services. Similarly, I won’t overcome my fear of flying by doing aerobatics. Christine has one of those planes as well.

In the meantime, I’m enjoying being a co-owner of two planes I don’t fly and attending RAF gatherings as a land-loving spouse - and more fully understanding the love my wife has for this incredible community of pilots and supporters.

Neil Mortine is the vice chairman of one of the largest independent marketing and communications agencies in the country. He is a PRWeek Global Public Relations 500 leader and has been honored for his professional and civic leadership by Columbus Business First as one of the “Most Admired CEOs” in Central Ohio. Neil and his wife Christine live in Worthington, Ohio, with their two cats. They are the proud parents of four adult children, and enjoy hiking, biking, traveling and spending as much time as possible with their six grandchildren.

Submitted June 18, 2026

Posted in Guest Editorial, News