How can Silverbolt be this: Silverbolt — Concorde SST (Super Sonic Transport) — acrophobic leader, and den mother
simple. That's just his unique personality. That's the wonderful thing about transformers that sets them apart from other 'mecha', is that they are sentient, they are able to "Think and Feel". They are subject to the same emotions that we are. In silverbolts particular case, that's one of his fears or phobia's. It's just coincidence that he happens to be a jet. If you watch the episodes "The Key to Vector Sigma", you'll understand why Optimus Prime made Silverbolt the leader of the team.
Because the writers thought it would be coincidentally ironic to have a character who transforms into a jet be afraid of heights.
also, this: Silverbolt (G1 - Transformers Wiki) Also, the following statement is incorrect: "He can combine with his fellow Aerialbots to form the torso of Superion. " It should say: "He can form Superion by transforming into a torso and combining with his fellow aerialbots." afterall all five aerialbots don't combine into one torso, that's just silly.
C'mon, what's wrong with having Silverbolt, who transforms into a jet, being afraid of heights? It's what makes him stand out. Besides, who would want just a bunch of robots turning into jets without some kind of flaw?
I like it. Maybe on Cybertron he wasn't a flyer at all (yeah, I know he was low-level cargo plane in the 'toon, but that's just the 'toon), and wasn't prepared for being one when he was reformatted. Maybe it's some kind of physiological glitch that's never been isolated (like Broadside's 'seasickness'). Maybe it's just the way he is. Whatever, it's what makes him interesting. Prime put him in charge of the Aerialbots because he recognised that leading the team and worrying about everyone else would take his mind off the fact that he's scared of heights. Clever bit of distraction. It's along the same lines as the way he uses Somkescreen to find out about problems that his troops wouldn't tell him, and how he uses Gears' pessimism (which is partially an act) to get the other Autobots to cheer themselves up by trying to cheer him up. Prime knows what he's doing...
I love Silverbolt! Jet that's afraid of heights, that was just brilliant! I love the irony. And he's a pretty good leader too.
I think Silverbolt's personality is unique and it is clearly explained in the episode the Key to Vector Sigma. Great character.
