We had a fabulous day yesterday at Edinburgh. We are always given a great welcome in Scotland. It was particularly special as everyone flew with us that attended the course.
Maybe we shouldn't mention it but we are just so impressed that everyone was able to do it.
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know that it is not just about taking the flight. We put more importance on our delegates feeling better about flying altogether. This is regardless of whether they fly or not. The most important measure anyone should be concerned with is whether you feel better about flying as a result of attending our course. Beating a fear of flying is a process of which we are proud to be a big part of.
We have been going nearly 16 years and have helped thousands and thousands of people. The first five years of our courses were run in a simulator with no flight at the end of it - we never thought of those people as not having achieved anything. They would flew when they were ready sometime after the course. It is all about getting the right help when you are ready to move you on in your process of getting rid of the fear. It takes tremendous courage to even sign up for a course like this. So, well done to everyone yesterday and to all those thousands of people out there flying much more happily as a result of our help.
Take care
Paul & Richard
Monday, 20 May 2013
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Newcastle course last weekend
As always, pleased to say that the course went very well. There has been lots of great feedback from those that flew with us at the weekend. Here it is if you want to look ...
We would like to talk about two people that didn't fly on Sunday's course and why that is actually ok.
Client no.1
One delegate arrived with no identification whatsoever for the course. We didn't know until the actual flight was due to go that he didn't have anything. This was a real shame for him. He had been with us all day. The flight was a domestic flight from Newcastle to Newcastle - so no real threat to anyone perhaps? However, the airport authorities quite rightly refused him and he wasn't able to fly with us. Sad for him but good to show that aviation security is taken seriously don't you think? Hopefully, he will come back again soon WITH ID.
Client no.2
This particular delegate (whose feedback from message board is below) didn't fly. He is obviously gutted that he did not fly. However, he was actually really pleased that he came to the aircraft and then got off. The simple (to some) of walking onto an aircraft was still more than he thought he would do that day.
We believe that beating a fear is a process. Our course is a great part of a process of getting rid of the fear. If someone decides to not fly on the day of our course, there is no shame at all. They just need a bit more help to get to the point of flying. Those that come back and see us again tend to fly. They are flying when they are ready.
Feedback from client no.2
I have just returned home from the Newcastle leg of flying without fear.
Sadly I was the unlucky member who didn't manage the flight. however I feel parts of the course helped me make marks of improvement in combatting my fear.
For any potential clients. I will testify that the course worked wonders for a large percentage of people. This is no miracle cure but what it offers is sensible factual advice from professions who know a great deal more about flight than you or I !
I would recommend taking a family member or friend along to the course. It felt like the loneliest place in the world at times today. I spoke at lengths with Paul at the end of the course. he was very helpful and supportive. I feel a step closer to beating my fear but I have realised that today is only one step. (Even for those who were successful with the flight)
I was genuinely moved by other members stories. (In particular my fellow group member mark) who made my week by flying. Well done mate. it was nice to meet you.
===========================
Take care
Paul & Richard
We would like to talk about two people that didn't fly on Sunday's course and why that is actually ok.
Client no.1
One delegate arrived with no identification whatsoever for the course. We didn't know until the actual flight was due to go that he didn't have anything. This was a real shame for him. He had been with us all day. The flight was a domestic flight from Newcastle to Newcastle - so no real threat to anyone perhaps? However, the airport authorities quite rightly refused him and he wasn't able to fly with us. Sad for him but good to show that aviation security is taken seriously don't you think? Hopefully, he will come back again soon WITH ID.
Client no.2
This particular delegate (whose feedback from message board is below) didn't fly. He is obviously gutted that he did not fly. However, he was actually really pleased that he came to the aircraft and then got off. The simple (to some) of walking onto an aircraft was still more than he thought he would do that day.
We believe that beating a fear is a process. Our course is a great part of a process of getting rid of the fear. If someone decides to not fly on the day of our course, there is no shame at all. They just need a bit more help to get to the point of flying. Those that come back and see us again tend to fly. They are flying when they are ready.
Feedback from client no.2
I have just returned home from the Newcastle leg of flying without fear.
Sadly I was the unlucky member who didn't manage the flight. however I feel parts of the course helped me make marks of improvement in combatting my fear.
For any potential clients. I will testify that the course worked wonders for a large percentage of people. This is no miracle cure but what it offers is sensible factual advice from professions who know a great deal more about flight than you or I !
I would recommend taking a family member or friend along to the course. It felt like the loneliest place in the world at times today. I spoke at lengths with Paul at the end of the course. he was very helpful and supportive. I feel a step closer to beating my fear but I have realised that today is only one step. (Even for those who were successful with the flight)
I was genuinely moved by other members stories. (In particular my fellow group member mark) who made my week by flying. Well done mate. it was nice to meet you.
===========================
Take care
Paul & Richard
Saturday, 11 May 2013
Next Edinburgh course
We have a course coming up in just over a week at Edinburgh. The courses are always great to run for us as a team. See some feedback below from our last course - hope to see you there.
Edinburgh 25th November 2012
Thank you so much Richard, Paul and all the crew of the Flying Without Fear course on 25/11/12 in Edinburgh. Not having flown since a hugely uncomfortable BOAC trans Atlantic flight in 1980, I was a total bag of nerves before the course. My wife "kindly" got me the course for a birthday present, determined that I should be able to fly to Spain and Australia to visit some of our family. I found the course technically reassuring, psychologically calming and completely professional. Although the flight itself was quite short, it reinforced everything you talked about on the course. I'm not exactly doing cartwheels yet but, as a start, I'm determined to join you on your new flight from Edinburgh to Heathrow early next year and after that, who knows ! To paraphrase that lovely song North Star - "It's been a long time coming, but it's well worth the waiting, and I'll raise my hands and ask for nothing more." Many thanks once again. Miles Wrigley.
Take care
Paul & Richard
Edinburgh 25th November 2012
Thank you so much Richard, Paul and all the crew of the Flying Without Fear course on 25/11/12 in Edinburgh. Not having flown since a hugely uncomfortable BOAC trans Atlantic flight in 1980, I was a total bag of nerves before the course. My wife "kindly" got me the course for a birthday present, determined that I should be able to fly to Spain and Australia to visit some of our family. I found the course technically reassuring, psychologically calming and completely professional. Although the flight itself was quite short, it reinforced everything you talked about on the course. I'm not exactly doing cartwheels yet but, as a start, I'm determined to join you on your new flight from Edinburgh to Heathrow early next year and after that, who knows ! To paraphrase that lovely song North Star - "It's been a long time coming, but it's well worth the waiting, and I'll raise my hands and ask for nothing more." Many thanks once again. Miles Wrigley.
Take care
Paul & Richard
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
May is fear of flying month!
In the UK right now, we are experiencing warmth! Wahey - hope it lasts. Heard someone describe the British weather as 9 months expectation and then 3 months disappointment! Not very positive...albeit accurate?
We thought that we might let you know what we have been up to lately... It is a busy time for us as we prepare for three courses in a row. This weekend Newcastle, then Edinburgh and then Birmingham. Last month we ran two courses; One in Manchester and one in Luton. Check out some of the recent feedback here
It just goes to show how many people out there have a fear of flying. In fact, a lot of our delegates report how surprised that they are to see so many nervous people pitch up for our courses. We think that you should find this reassuring because it lets you know just how many people feel just like you do and that you are part of a large community of people that fear flying.
It will be 16 years in November since we started. Can you imagine how many thousands of people just like you that we have helped? Totting up the numbers, we estimate approximately between 14-20, 000 people have been on our courses. Then, we have all those thousands that have been helped by our book. Amazing!!
Take care
Paul & Richard
We thought that we might let you know what we have been up to lately... It is a busy time for us as we prepare for three courses in a row. This weekend Newcastle, then Edinburgh and then Birmingham. Last month we ran two courses; One in Manchester and one in Luton. Check out some of the recent feedback here
It just goes to show how many people out there have a fear of flying. In fact, a lot of our delegates report how surprised that they are to see so many nervous people pitch up for our courses. We think that you should find this reassuring because it lets you know just how many people feel just like you do and that you are part of a large community of people that fear flying.
It will be 16 years in November since we started. Can you imagine how many thousands of people just like you that we have helped? Totting up the numbers, we estimate approximately between 14-20, 000 people have been on our courses. Then, we have all those thousands that have been helped by our book. Amazing!!
Take care
Paul & Richard
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Super post card from very grateful delegate
It is a great part of the work that we do here... We received loads of great postcards like this one below. It reads:
So, maybe you are reading this whilst waiting outside the meeting room? It is early and you are apprehensive. You are there because you want to change things and travel. By the time you leave later, you will have done this. It will no longer be something that 'other people do.' The whole team are fabulous. They know what they are doing. Trust them... The flight here was great. Must smoother than bus or train. We left snow in the UK and have had 2 lovely weeks in the sun. We fly back in 2 days. I am looking forward to relaxing and listening to the music as I am taken home. Planning to fly again in September to France. And now know that when I go to Ireland to see family, it will take me an hour and not a day! Well done for being there, you are not alone. It works!!
Thank you so much all of the team at Virgin FWF. This is the only postcard I have sent. You got me here and I can't thank you enough. And yes, my life has changed. Have a great day everyone, much love. Jill McCarthyxxxx (on the balcony) Birmingham October 2012 course.
==============================
Getting ready for our Manchester fear of flying course this weekend...
Take care,
Paul & Richard
Fear of flying group courses 2013: Newcastle 12th May; Edinburgh 19th May; Birmingham 26th May; Southampton 23rd June; Gatwick 7th July; Luton 25th August - All £255 including VAT
===========================
Banish Stress Forever Workshop – 17th June 2013 Gatwick area. Price. £125 including VAT & parking & refreshments
So, maybe you are reading this whilst waiting outside the meeting room? It is early and you are apprehensive. You are there because you want to change things and travel. By the time you leave later, you will have done this. It will no longer be something that 'other people do.' The whole team are fabulous. They know what they are doing. Trust them... The flight here was great. Must smoother than bus or train. We left snow in the UK and have had 2 lovely weeks in the sun. We fly back in 2 days. I am looking forward to relaxing and listening to the music as I am taken home. Planning to fly again in September to France. And now know that when I go to Ireland to see family, it will take me an hour and not a day! Well done for being there, you are not alone. It works!!
Thank you so much all of the team at Virgin FWF. This is the only postcard I have sent. You got me here and I can't thank you enough. And yes, my life has changed. Have a great day everyone, much love. Jill McCarthyxxxx (on the balcony) Birmingham October 2012 course.
==============================
Getting ready for our Manchester fear of flying course this weekend...
Take care,
Paul & Richard
Fear of flying group courses 2013: Newcastle 12th May; Edinburgh 19th May; Birmingham 26th May; Southampton 23rd June; Gatwick 7th July; Luton 25th August - All £255 including VAT
===========================
Banish Stress Forever Workshop – 17th June 2013 Gatwick area. Price. £125 including VAT & parking & refreshments
Monday, 22 April 2013
News is bad for you – article from the Guardian
Below is an article from the Guardian passed to us by Henrietta, flying without fear team leaders and former nervous flyer. We have said for ages to be careful what you read. We like this article...
News is bad for you – and giving up reading it will make you happier
News is bad for your health. It leads to fear and aggression, and hinders your creativity and ability to think deeply. The solution? Stop consuming it altogether
Out of the 10,000 news stories you may have read in the last 12 months, did even one allow you to make a better decision about a serious matter in your life, asks Rolf Dobelli.
In the past few decades, the fortunate among us have recognised the hazards of living with an overabundance of food (obesity, diabetes) and have started to change our diets. But most of us do not yet understand that news is to the mind what sugar is to the body. News is easy to digest. The media feeds us small bites of trivial matter, tidbits that don't really concern our lives and don't require thinking. That's why we experience almost no saturation. Unlike reading books and long magazine articles (which require thinking), we can swallow limitless quantities of news flashes, which are bright-coloured candies for the mind. Today, we have reached the same point in relation to information that we faced 20 years ago in regard to food. We are beginning to recognise how toxic news can be.
News misleads. Take the following event (borrowed from Nassim Taleb). A car drives over a bridge, and the bridge collapses. What does the news media focus on? The car. The person in the car. Where he came from. Where he planned to go. How he experienced the crash (if he survived). But that is all irrelevant. What's relevant? The structural stability of the bridge. That's the underlying risk that has been lurking, and could lurk in other bridges. But the car is flashy, it's dramatic, it's a person (non-abstract), and it's news that's cheap to produce. News leads us to walk around with the completely wrong risk map in our heads. So terrorism is over-rated. Chronic stress is under-rated. The collapse of Lehman Brothers is overrated. Fiscal irresponsibility is under-rated. Astronauts are over-rated. Nurses are under-rated.
We are not rational enough to be exposed to the press. Watching an airplane crash on television is going to change your attitude toward that risk, regardless of its real probability. If you think you can compensate with the strength of your own inner contemplation, you are wrong. Bankers and economists – who have powerful incentives to compensate for news-borne hazards – have shown that they cannot. The only solution: cut yourself off from news consumption entirely.
News is irrelevant. Out of the approximately 10,000 news stories you have read in the last 12 months, name one that – because you consumed it – allowed you to make a better decision about a serious matter affecting your life, your career or your business. The point is: the consumption of news is irrelevant to you. But people find it very difficult to recognise what's relevant. It's much easier to recognise what's new. The relevant versus the new is the fundamental battle of the current age. Media organisations want you to believe that news offers you some sort of a competitive advantage. Many fall for that. We get anxious when we're cut off from the flow of news. In reality, news consumption is a competitive disadvantage. The less news you consume, the bigger the advantage you have.
News has no explanatory power. News items are bubbles popping on the surface of a deeper world. Will accumulating facts help you understand the world? Sadly, no. The relationship is inverted. The important stories are non-stories: slow, powerful movements that develop below journalists' radar but have a transforming effect. The more "news factoids" you digest, the less of the big picture you will understand. If more information leads to higher economic success, we'd expect journalists to be at the top of the pyramid. That's not the case.
News is toxic to your body. It constantly triggers the limbic system. Panicky stories spur the release of cascades of glucocorticoid (cortisol). This deregulates your immune system and inhibits the release of growth hormones. In other words, your body finds itself in a state of chronic stress. High glucocorticoid levels cause impaired digestion, lack of growth (cell, hair, bone), nervousness and susceptibility to infections. The other potential side-effects include fear, aggression, tunnel-vision and desensitisation.
News increases cognitive errors. News feeds the mother of all cognitive errors: confirmation bias. In the words of Warren Buffett: "What the human being is best at doing is interpreting all new information so that their prior conclusions remain intact." News exacerbates this flaw. We become prone to overconfidence, take stupid risks and misjudge opportunities. It also exacerbates another cognitive error: the story bias. Our brains crave stories that "make sense" – even if they don't correspond to reality. Any journalist who writes, "The market moved because of X" or "the company went bankrupt because of Y" is an idiot. I am fed up with this cheap way of "explaining" the world.
News inhibits thinking. Thinking requires concentration. Concentration requires uninterrupted time. News pieces are specifically engineered to interrupt you. They are like viruses that steal attention for their own purposes. News makes us shallow thinkers. But it's worse than that. News severely affects memory. There are two types of memory. Long-range memory's capacity is nearly infinite, but working memory is limited to a certain amount of slippery data. The path from short-term to long-term memory is a choke-point in the brain, but anything you want to understand must pass through it. If this passageway is disrupted, nothing gets through. Because news disrupts concentration, it weakens comprehension. Online news has an even worse impact. In a 2001 study two scholars in Canada showed that comprehension declines as the number of hyperlinks in a document increases. Why? Because whenever a link appears, your brain has to at least make the choice not to click, which in itself is distracting. News is an intentional interruption system.
News works like a drug. As stories develop, we want to know how they continue. With hundreds of arbitrary storylines in our heads, this craving is increasingly compelling and hard to ignore. Scientists used to think that the dense connections formed among the 100 billion neurons inside our skulls were largely fixed by the time we reached adulthood. Today we know that this is not the case. Nerve cells routinely break old connections and form new ones. The more news we consume, the more we exercise the neural circuits devoted to skimming and multitasking while ignoring those used for reading deeply and thinking with profound focus. Most news consumers – even if they used to be avid book readers – have lost the ability to absorb lengthy articles or books. After four, five pages they get tired, their concentration vanishes, they become restless. It's not because they got older or their schedules became more onerous. It's because the physical structure of their brains has changed.
News wastes time. If you read the newspaper for 15 minutes each morning, then check the news for 15 minutes during lunch and 15 minutes before you go to bed, then add five minutes here and there when you're at work, then count distraction and refocusing time, you will lose at least half a day every week. Information is no longer a scarce commodity. But attention is. You are not that irresponsible with your money, reputation or health. Why give away your mind?
News makes us passive. News stories are overwhelmingly about things you cannot influence. The daily repetition of news about things we can't act upon makes us passive. It grinds us down until we adopt a worldview that is pessimistic, desensitised, sarcastic and fatalistic. The scientific term is "learned helplessness". It's a bit of a stretch, but I would not be surprised if news consumption, at least partially contributes to the widespread disease of depression.
News kills creativity. Finally, things we already know limit our creativity. This is one reason that mathematicians, novelists, composers and entrepreneurs often produce their most creative works at a young age. Their brains enjoy a wide, uninhabited space that emboldens them to come up with and pursue novel ideas. I don't know a single truly creative mind who is a news junkie – not a writer, not a composer, mathematician, physician, scientist, musician, designer, architect or painter. On the other hand, I know a bunch of viciously uncreative minds who consume news like drugs. If you want to come up with old solutions, read news. If you are looking for new solutions, don't.
Society needs journalism – but in a different way. Investigative journalism is always relevant. We need reporting that polices our institutions and uncovers truth. But important findings don't have to arrive in the form of news. Long journal articles and in-depth books are good, too.
I have now gone without news for four years, so I can see, feel and report the effects of this freedom first-hand: less disruption, less anxiety, deeper thinking, more time, more insights. It's not easy, but it's worth it.
This is an edited extract from an essay first published at dobelli.com. The Art of Thinking Clearly: Better Thinking, Better Decisions by Rolf Dobelli is published by Sceptre, £9.99. Buy it for £7.99 at guardianbookshop.co.uk
News misleads. Take the following event (borrowed from Nassim Taleb). A car drives over a bridge, and the bridge collapses. What does the news media focus on? The car. The person in the car. Where he came from. Where he planned to go. How he experienced the crash (if he survived). But that is all irrelevant. What's relevant? The structural stability of the bridge. That's the underlying risk that has been lurking, and could lurk in other bridges. But the car is flashy, it's dramatic, it's a person (non-abstract), and it's news that's cheap to produce. News leads us to walk around with the completely wrong risk map in our heads. So terrorism is over-rated. Chronic stress is under-rated. The collapse of Lehman Brothers is overrated. Fiscal irresponsibility is under-rated. Astronauts are over-rated. Nurses are under-rated.
We are not rational enough to be exposed to the press. Watching an airplane crash on television is going to change your attitude toward that risk, regardless of its real probability. If you think you can compensate with the strength of your own inner contemplation, you are wrong. Bankers and economists – who have powerful incentives to compensate for news-borne hazards – have shown that they cannot. The only solution: cut yourself off from news consumption entirely.
News is irrelevant. Out of the approximately 10,000 news stories you have read in the last 12 months, name one that – because you consumed it – allowed you to make a better decision about a serious matter affecting your life, your career or your business. The point is: the consumption of news is irrelevant to you. But people find it very difficult to recognise what's relevant. It's much easier to recognise what's new. The relevant versus the new is the fundamental battle of the current age. Media organisations want you to believe that news offers you some sort of a competitive advantage. Many fall for that. We get anxious when we're cut off from the flow of news. In reality, news consumption is a competitive disadvantage. The less news you consume, the bigger the advantage you have.
News has no explanatory power. News items are bubbles popping on the surface of a deeper world. Will accumulating facts help you understand the world? Sadly, no. The relationship is inverted. The important stories are non-stories: slow, powerful movements that develop below journalists' radar but have a transforming effect. The more "news factoids" you digest, the less of the big picture you will understand. If more information leads to higher economic success, we'd expect journalists to be at the top of the pyramid. That's not the case.
News is toxic to your body. It constantly triggers the limbic system. Panicky stories spur the release of cascades of glucocorticoid (cortisol). This deregulates your immune system and inhibits the release of growth hormones. In other words, your body finds itself in a state of chronic stress. High glucocorticoid levels cause impaired digestion, lack of growth (cell, hair, bone), nervousness and susceptibility to infections. The other potential side-effects include fear, aggression, tunnel-vision and desensitisation.
News increases cognitive errors. News feeds the mother of all cognitive errors: confirmation bias. In the words of Warren Buffett: "What the human being is best at doing is interpreting all new information so that their prior conclusions remain intact." News exacerbates this flaw. We become prone to overconfidence, take stupid risks and misjudge opportunities. It also exacerbates another cognitive error: the story bias. Our brains crave stories that "make sense" – even if they don't correspond to reality. Any journalist who writes, "The market moved because of X" or "the company went bankrupt because of Y" is an idiot. I am fed up with this cheap way of "explaining" the world.
News inhibits thinking. Thinking requires concentration. Concentration requires uninterrupted time. News pieces are specifically engineered to interrupt you. They are like viruses that steal attention for their own purposes. News makes us shallow thinkers. But it's worse than that. News severely affects memory. There are two types of memory. Long-range memory's capacity is nearly infinite, but working memory is limited to a certain amount of slippery data. The path from short-term to long-term memory is a choke-point in the brain, but anything you want to understand must pass through it. If this passageway is disrupted, nothing gets through. Because news disrupts concentration, it weakens comprehension. Online news has an even worse impact. In a 2001 study two scholars in Canada showed that comprehension declines as the number of hyperlinks in a document increases. Why? Because whenever a link appears, your brain has to at least make the choice not to click, which in itself is distracting. News is an intentional interruption system.
News works like a drug. As stories develop, we want to know how they continue. With hundreds of arbitrary storylines in our heads, this craving is increasingly compelling and hard to ignore. Scientists used to think that the dense connections formed among the 100 billion neurons inside our skulls were largely fixed by the time we reached adulthood. Today we know that this is not the case. Nerve cells routinely break old connections and form new ones. The more news we consume, the more we exercise the neural circuits devoted to skimming and multitasking while ignoring those used for reading deeply and thinking with profound focus. Most news consumers – even if they used to be avid book readers – have lost the ability to absorb lengthy articles or books. After four, five pages they get tired, their concentration vanishes, they become restless. It's not because they got older or their schedules became more onerous. It's because the physical structure of their brains has changed.
News wastes time. If you read the newspaper for 15 minutes each morning, then check the news for 15 minutes during lunch and 15 minutes before you go to bed, then add five minutes here and there when you're at work, then count distraction and refocusing time, you will lose at least half a day every week. Information is no longer a scarce commodity. But attention is. You are not that irresponsible with your money, reputation or health. Why give away your mind?
News makes us passive. News stories are overwhelmingly about things you cannot influence. The daily repetition of news about things we can't act upon makes us passive. It grinds us down until we adopt a worldview that is pessimistic, desensitised, sarcastic and fatalistic. The scientific term is "learned helplessness". It's a bit of a stretch, but I would not be surprised if news consumption, at least partially contributes to the widespread disease of depression.
News kills creativity. Finally, things we already know limit our creativity. This is one reason that mathematicians, novelists, composers and entrepreneurs often produce their most creative works at a young age. Their brains enjoy a wide, uninhabited space that emboldens them to come up with and pursue novel ideas. I don't know a single truly creative mind who is a news junkie – not a writer, not a composer, mathematician, physician, scientist, musician, designer, architect or painter. On the other hand, I know a bunch of viciously uncreative minds who consume news like drugs. If you want to come up with old solutions, read news. If you are looking for new solutions, don't.
Society needs journalism – but in a different way. Investigative journalism is always relevant. We need reporting that polices our institutions and uncovers truth. But important findings don't have to arrive in the form of news. Long journal articles and in-depth books are good, too.
I have now gone without news for four years, so I can see, feel and report the effects of this freedom first-hand: less disruption, less anxiety, deeper thinking, more time, more insights. It's not easy, but it's worth it.
This is an edited extract from an essay first published at dobelli.com. The Art of Thinking Clearly: Better Thinking, Better Decisions by Rolf Dobelli is published by Sceptre, £9.99. Buy it for £7.99 at guardianbookshop.co.uk
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Courses coming up...
We have a whole bunch of courses coming up...Still places left - see below.
We know that there are other courses 'out there' but no-one else does it the way we do... Here is some recent feedback from Luton last weekend:
======================================
WOW!!! A miracle happened 14.04.2013. a team of beautiful people got ME on an aeroplane!!
Something my family had resigned themselves to NEVER seeing. It was 36 years
since my first and last flight………bags of time for me to make up incredible
stories in my imagination! I had only been at the venue 15-20 minutes and
panic set in……..and I was in tears. Within seconds a warm, friendly voice was
reassuring me and convincing me that I really wasn’t stupid. As the day went on
my anxiety peaked and troughed but I was aware that Captain Dave (Pilot
extraordinaire 
)
and Janine (Virgin Airline Hostess with the mostest!! 
who
just happened to be my team leader) were SO reassuring and incredibly easy to
talk to. We were put in teams of 11-12 so it didn’t matter if you were on your
own……..and most of us were on our own. Each team had a team leader.
The team leaders were on hand to keep a close eye on each individual member of their team but the whole group of organisers methodically and clearly answered ALL our questions and allayed many fears. This may be hard to believe but so is the fact that I GOT ON A PLANE AND ENJOYED IT!! Yes……. I was petrified ……..but this wonderful team of people helped me to overcome how I was feeling.
Behavioural experts were also on hand with expert advice.
The in-flight commentary was so reassuring and made such a difference………every little motion of the aircraft was explained. We did some ‘banking’ and some ascending/descending – I was unbelievably calm and IN THE AIR!!!! I was looking out of the window most of the time AND REALLY, TRULY ENJOYED IT!! My only regret is that I don’t have it on video! I’m still flying through the air now and just can’t come down. I don’t currently have any future flights booked but I will definitely fly again -It was fantastic – the best £255 I ever spent. I would thoroughly recommend this course. It will be the first day of the rest of your life!!
Many thanks to the whole Virgin team. xx
———————————————————————–
I just want to send a massive massive thank you to all at the course for a fantastic day at Luton. The course organisers and participants – especially Richard, Paul, Captain David and our team leader David Gott – were all incredible, they made the day interesting, fun, and helped quell all the myths and fears we’ve all worked up in ourselves!! They were lovely at answering all our questions, and incredibly knowledgeable, and there was lots of one-to-one help available for anyone who was finding it all a bit much.
During the course itself I wasn’t sure if I was feeling any different towards flying (although as Richard pointed out to me, I was able to wolf down a big lunch which normally I would never do if I was flying that night, I’d be too scared!!) – but when I got to the airport I realised I wasn’t feeling scared at seeing the planes at the gate, when normally even a picture of a plane is enough to set me off. Oooh, this is good, I thought! As we boarded the plane again I felt no fear at all – and I ‘made’ myself sit on my own at a window seat, near the wing, as this is something I have never ever done before (I normally avoid windows like the plague). Our team leaders all came on the plane with us, as well as Captain Dave, and they were excellent to answer any questions or concerns we had. During take off, instead of burying my face in my hands and crying hysterically as I always do (praying to survive the next few minutes!), I made myself listen to the advice given during the day and instead relaxed and looked out of the window for the whole experience. It was INCREDIBLE. The difference between what you see and what you feel is absolutely amazing – and the team were right, it is SO much better to look outside and let your eyes confirm what is really happening, rather than trusting your not-so-reliable balance senses! It actually made me really emotional – I won’t deny I shed a few tears – but they were tears of happiness, at having taken off in a plane without any fear whatsoever for the first time in my life, and being able to look at the most beautiful view out of the window.
It was really good to have the pilots speaking to us over the tannoy for the whole flight, explaining what every little noise and movement was, and the pilots also did a variety of things like banking, raising & lowering height, taking us through clouds etc. so we could experience what those all felt like. I have never felt so safe, supportive, or happy on a flight – I LOVED it. I wasn’t expecting to love it – I was hoping for a slight reduction in fear which would have been enough for me – but love it I did. If I could do a cartwheel, I would have been doing them all over the plane!!!
I am flying to Australia in 5 weeks and I am now actually really looking forward to the flight (can’t believe I’m actually saying that!) – I always used to have to take a lot of medication and alcohol to fly but now I know I won’t even need that. I would recommend the course to anyone who is frightened of flying – these guys really can help!
Thank to all at Flying Without Fear for their invaluable help – you really have changed my life in terms of flying, and actually in other situations too as I’m sure the techniques we learnt can be applied to anything – and I shall send a postcard from Oz!
Many thanks from the bottom of my heart, Emma (the one with all the
smiles!!!!)
=====================================
April
Manchester 28th April 2013
May
Newcastle 12th May 2013
Edinburgh 19th May 2013
Birmingham 26th May 2013
June
Southampton 23rd June 2013
July
Gatwick 7th July 2013
August
Luton 25th August 2013
We know that there are other courses 'out there' but no-one else does it the way we do... Here is some recent feedback from Luton last weekend:
======================================
WOW!!! A miracle happened 14.04.2013. a team of beautiful people got ME on an aeroplane!!
Something my family had resigned themselves to NEVER seeing. It was 36 years
since my first and last flight………bags of time for me to make up incredible
stories in my imagination! I had only been at the venue 15-20 minutes and
panic set in……..and I was in tears. Within seconds a warm, friendly voice was
reassuring me and convincing me that I really wasn’t stupid. As the day went on
my anxiety peaked and troughed but I was aware that Captain Dave (Pilot
extraordinaire )
and Janine (Virgin Airline Hostess with the mostest!! who
just happened to be my team leader) were SO reassuring and incredibly easy to
talk to. We were put in teams of 11-12 so it didn’t matter if you were on your
own……..and most of us were on our own. Each team had a team leader.The team leaders were on hand to keep a close eye on each individual member of their team but the whole group of organisers methodically and clearly answered ALL our questions and allayed many fears. This may be hard to believe but so is the fact that I GOT ON A PLANE AND ENJOYED IT!! Yes……. I was petrified ……..but this wonderful team of people helped me to overcome how I was feeling.
Behavioural experts were also on hand with expert advice.The in-flight commentary was so reassuring and made such a difference………every little motion of the aircraft was explained. We did some ‘banking’ and some ascending/descending – I was unbelievably calm and IN THE AIR!!!! I was looking out of the window most of the time AND REALLY, TRULY ENJOYED IT!! My only regret is that I don’t have it on video! I’m still flying through the air now and just can’t come down. I don’t currently have any future flights booked but I will definitely fly again -It was fantastic – the best £255 I ever spent. I would thoroughly recommend this course. It will be the first day of the rest of your life!!
Many thanks to the whole Virgin team. xx———————————————————————–
I just want to send a massive massive thank you to all at the course for a fantastic day at Luton. The course organisers and participants – especially Richard, Paul, Captain David and our team leader David Gott – were all incredible, they made the day interesting, fun, and helped quell all the myths and fears we’ve all worked up in ourselves!! They were lovely at answering all our questions, and incredibly knowledgeable, and there was lots of one-to-one help available for anyone who was finding it all a bit much.
During the course itself I wasn’t sure if I was feeling any different towards flying (although as Richard pointed out to me, I was able to wolf down a big lunch which normally I would never do if I was flying that night, I’d be too scared!!) – but when I got to the airport I realised I wasn’t feeling scared at seeing the planes at the gate, when normally even a picture of a plane is enough to set me off. Oooh, this is good, I thought! As we boarded the plane again I felt no fear at all – and I ‘made’ myself sit on my own at a window seat, near the wing, as this is something I have never ever done before (I normally avoid windows like the plague). Our team leaders all came on the plane with us, as well as Captain Dave, and they were excellent to answer any questions or concerns we had. During take off, instead of burying my face in my hands and crying hysterically as I always do (praying to survive the next few minutes!), I made myself listen to the advice given during the day and instead relaxed and looked out of the window for the whole experience. It was INCREDIBLE. The difference between what you see and what you feel is absolutely amazing – and the team were right, it is SO much better to look outside and let your eyes confirm what is really happening, rather than trusting your not-so-reliable balance senses! It actually made me really emotional – I won’t deny I shed a few tears – but they were tears of happiness, at having taken off in a plane without any fear whatsoever for the first time in my life, and being able to look at the most beautiful view out of the window.
It was really good to have the pilots speaking to us over the tannoy for the whole flight, explaining what every little noise and movement was, and the pilots also did a variety of things like banking, raising & lowering height, taking us through clouds etc. so we could experience what those all felt like. I have never felt so safe, supportive, or happy on a flight – I LOVED it. I wasn’t expecting to love it – I was hoping for a slight reduction in fear which would have been enough for me – but love it I did. If I could do a cartwheel, I would have been doing them all over the plane!!!
I am flying to Australia in 5 weeks and I am now actually really looking forward to the flight (can’t believe I’m actually saying that!) – I always used to have to take a lot of medication and alcohol to fly but now I know I won’t even need that. I would recommend the course to anyone who is frightened of flying – these guys really can help!
Thank to all at Flying Without Fear for their invaluable help – you really have changed my life in terms of flying, and actually in other situations too as I’m sure the techniques we learnt can be applied to anything – and I shall send a postcard from Oz!
Many thanks from the bottom of my heart, Emma (the one with all the
smiles!!!!)=====================================
April
Manchester 28th April 2013
May
Newcastle 12th May 2013
Edinburgh 19th May 2013
Birmingham 26th May 2013
June
Southampton 23rd June 2013
July
Gatwick 7th July 2013
August
Luton 25th August 2013
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