Comments and feedback from people we have helped.

Read the things that people have said about how we help with overcoming a fear of flying (we know there are typo’s but they are real!). We believe that we enjoy unrivalled success because we stay focussed on our subject. There are many Fear of Flying sites that are just around to sell other types of help or give very vague bits of advice. Many have innumerable links to sites that will not help someone to overcome their fear but in fact will do more harm than good. Many sites have been the brain child of an enthusiast who believes that a hail and hearty approach to this fear will relax people into flying. Many are blatantly commercial. Our strongest advantage is our genuine interest in helping people to overcome their fear of flying regardless of the effort or commercial return that is involved. We are here to help.

Captain Keith Godfrey gives the answers in a way that helps you most. He has an insight to how fearful flyers feel and think about their fears and is able to answer their needs in a way that is straightforward, understandable and unfailingly accurate. Helping people to overcome their fear of flying is not a question of dumbing down complex issues but of explaining them effectively. He has lifelong experience of training in aviation and empathy with people explains many of the generous comments that people have offered. Dr. PG.

We hope that after reading these comments you realise that you too, can overcome your fear of flying.

Best wishes from All the team at Flyingwithoutfear.com

Sunday Telegraph

I’ve now done a lot of flying!

“Thank you for your e-mail. After speaking to you some 13 months ago and getting your DVD J took a short flight to Ireland. For me as her husband I feel very proud of her for overcoming a very large fear and as I tell her just keep doing the short flights for an hour to a little longer and she will get use to it. I also believe that a person suffering with this type of fear should tell people, the staff at check in etc as these people can help and I think understand. Most sufferers keep quite as do not want anybody, and even, close friends not to know as they do not want to admit failure. We are planning to fly back to Ireland later this year.I personally have done a lot of flying for business and its just like getting on a bus, but we are not all the same.”

Thank you once again for all your help.

Hello Keith! I’ve just returned last night from two weeks in Greece and can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that I would not have made it without your forum and your book and CD! I’ve flown before with your help but this time the build up was much worse than its ever been before. Of course, in my mind that was because the plane was going to crash!! until I read in your book that anxiety can be heightened following times of great stress which made complete sense and helped me to start putting things into perspective. The thing is me and my family have had a really horrid few months and we so needed this holiday and we had a loveley time. We were able to relax, spend some quality time together and recharge our batteries. If it were not for you I really don’t think we would have made it, so I’m not only grateful from my own point of view but also from that of my hubby and children. I hope you don’t ever under estimate just how much you do for people - not only the nervous flyers but their families as well!!

I really am so grateful to you!

Just wanted to say that that’s me back after a lovely, though rather hot, week in Menorca with my two daughters. I’m so delighted that I’ve managed to go on holiday with them by air before they don’t want to- probably sooner, rather than later!! I also want to tell you that of all the things I’ve done in the past 4 years to deal with my fear (courses, reading, NLP, CD’s, etc) that I believe this website, and especially your personal help, has been the most beneficial. So, thank you so much:) The girls were especially impressed with my thorough knowledge of all things aviational- dunno if there’s such a word but you know what I mean! I’ll definitely be back…am off to Austria in a couple of wks. Cheers for now.

I feel I now know Captain Keith personally!!

On 13th June we were sat next to a lady who had never flown before so between us re-assuring each other the flight was a delight. Thanks to Captain Keith I know what all the noises mean and this gave me great confidence and the return flight was excellent as well. The only problem that Captain Keith can’t help me with though - we lost one of our suitcases. It didn’t arrive in Glasgow!
Thanks again Captain Keith for giving me the confidence to fly again.

User Comments: I just HAD to send a comment to you on your site.

I will be flying next month for the first time in my life. We will be leaving Canada for London. I have been so nervous when thinking about it. Plane problems? Terrorists? Trapped in the air above Atlantic ocean….make matters worse it’s at night. I have been looking for little websites that offer a bit of help and found yours. What a WONDERFUL SITE!!!!! You have given me a glimpse into what the airport is going to sound like and look like and that these things that make people nervous ( i.e technical problems) aren’t always what u may think. Thank you so much!! I now feel more informed before i take my flight. I am keeping your website bookmarked and will readily pass it along to anyone i know who may need it!!
Awesome site!!!!!

Wonderful website

User Comments: Hi Keith I just wanted to email you to thank you for your wonderful website. I slowly developed a fear of flying over the last few years. Although it wouldn’t prevent me from flying, the anxiety would start to develop about a week before the trip, and would gradually rise to quite an uncomfortable level. I used to find flying terrifying and consequently arrived at the other end exhausted. I am currently in Laos having a ball but before I left I stumbled across your website. I found all of the information so helpful, and it really helped relieve my anxiety. I will recommend your website to anyone I know that has the same fear, and as I am planning on doing a lot more travel at the end of the year, I think I will buy your book or CD before I go. Many thanks once again for your helpful website. It has made a great difference to me (I even managed an internal Laos flight today which had been causing me great anxiety)

User Comments: Hello! Good Site! Thanks you!

I’VE DONE IT - I’VE DONE IT - I’VE DONE IT.

I just had to let you know that almost 4 years after going on the flight simulator at Gatwick with you I have at last taken to the skies. I realise I set my goal too high by making my first destination India, which just never happened. However, I had to go to Dublin on a business trip and was determined to fly there. I had a month to prepare so armed with your book, DVD and CD’s (what a wonderfully soothing voice Jasper has) I did an enormous amount of homework. It worked wonderfully. What a difference knowledge and understanding makes. In fact I really irritated my travelling companion by giving her a running commentary!! I won’t pretend I wasn’t apprehensive, but I kept in mind the bravery of the very distressed lady on your DVD. I was rather surprised at my reaction after I arrived back at Gatwick as when I got to my car I just sobbed. The following day I felt so elated and have not yet come down to earth. I keep looking up at the sky watching the aircraft, which is particularly fascinating on a clear night. I feel now I can fly without a problem and my only regret is that I have wasted 34 years. It has liberated me, but also given me confidence in so many other ways. I could not have done it without you Keith. Your sincere concern, understanding and kindness shine through.
You will always have my heartfelt thanks and admiration.

User Comments:

Many thanks Keith for your reply. Your website has already been a great help, and I have referred some other people who I know are fear filled flyers to your site. Coming out of Sydney last Sat. night during a storm, the one thing I kept reminding myself was that the turbulence was uncomfortable, not dangerous. What worries me though, is when I go to America (in September) I think there will be severe turbulence over the Pacific, and I don’t know how I will manage a 14 hour flight to San Francisco when we are flying all the way over ocean, there is turbulence, and I know I have either another 7, 8 or 9 hours to go. I have a knot in my stomach every time I think about it - and I don’t want to be like that, I want to be able to enjoy it. And that doesn’t even include the internal flights in America!! I am sure your information will be a great help. Many thanks Keith.

User Comments: Hi Keith Thanks so much for organizing the package - I really look forward to receiving them. I am not going to continue to bother you - but my only other worry is that if something happened to the plane - a mechanical fault etc. and we had to land - there is nowhere to go - only Fiji or Hawaii - we a thousands of miles from anywhere when we are over the ocean - and that bothers me. That’s really the main 2 things - the turbulence and what if there is a mechanical fault, and we have nowhere to land.
Thank you again for your excellent work.

Regards Again thank you Keith for your comments.

User Comments:

I laughed when I read that “if I can think of a problem then it’s already been dealt with by the industry.” I NEED TO REMEMBER THAT and it was most helpful to read that. I showed one of my colleagues your comments as he is taking long service leave soon and going to Europe and he is also a nervous flyer with the same concerns as me, so it was really helpful for both of us.
… and its great to be able to email you, knowing that you have been a pilot for many, many years.

Thank you.

User Comments: Hello, Could you recommend a fear of flying course/seminar in the Miami or the Florida (US) area that I could attend? I think I really need that kind of help first more than a DVD. I can’t find anything like that in this area. I would appreciate your help enormously.
You have a wonderful and very helpful site, I think the best in its class.

Cordially G

User Comments:

You probably won’t remember me as it’s been a frightening number of years, but I used to know your daughter, xxxx - we went to school together in Guernsey. Since living in the Channel Islands and flying on those horrid yellow planes and then moving to the States my fear or flying has got pretty bad. Obviously I fly all the time so I manage it but it’s stressful and I really hate it. In a mission to sort it out (as I find it very annoying!) I found your website! So, I just wanted to say hello, thanks for the useful information and please remember me to xxxx. I’d love to be back in touch with her and find out how all you guys are doing.

User Comments:

Hello Keith, thankyou for getting back to me. I am looking forward to receiving the CD. The DVD and Pocket Book are great. Regards User Comments: Hello Keith, that is very kind of you, I have the pocket book that I am going to put in my bag whenI go to Florida in Feb 2008. I not sure if I can take a CD player on the aircraft, as I haven’ Got an IPod, Maybe I should invest in one…as this would help me loads Listening to this in the departure lounge, in takeoff and through the flight. Thanks again Keith, User Comments: Hi there, I’m due to fly out to Greece on Friday and am once again getting that annual fear that I’ll plummet from the sky! It’s all those sounds unfamiliar onboard sounds that make the experience so scary for me. Your site, and particularly the video clips, have made certainly helped to normalise things for me. I’ve purchased the downloadable CDs
I will certainly recommend this site.

My thanks again

User Comments:

Hi Keith, Thanks for the reply. No problem with the booklet. I’ll either buy from the website or else will just take the book with me on the plane. I’m putting together a “pack” of things to bring with me on the flight. I thought your advice about listening to headphones so you don’t hear all the strange noises really good. I’ve already transferred loads of my favourite relaxing songs and a couple of audio books onto an iPod which should keep me busy on the flight. I’m going to bring lots of puzzles, books, magazines etc too. For some reason preparing a “travel pack” Like this is making me feel sort of excited about taking the challenge of NOT being afraid on my next flight. I think it will help.

User Comments:
I found your book really really useful.

I could totally relate to all the fears that other people seem to have. And although I don’t think I am as afraid as some people, I am worried that each time I fly somewhere I seem to get worse and worse so I want to nip it in the bud before I can’t get on a plane at all. My bookshop is in Kinsale, Ireland. It’s a new bookshop and I don’t stock any Richard Jefferies so I can’t help you with that I’m afraid! The shop is a general booksellers in a small town - our website is www.bookstor.ie We’ve only been open a year and half. Flying without Fear is the first book about being afraid of flying that I’ve stocked but I will definitely continue to stock it! Thanks again for all the help. All the best,

User Comments:

Thanks a million for that - I look forward to receiving it! We regularly write our own reviews for the shop here to sit alongside the books in question - when I return from Portugal I’ll make sure to write one and put it with your book!
I will definitely recommend Flying without Fear to our customers.

Thanks again and keep up the great work! Thanks Keith, this site worked.

User Comments: Keith, Thank you so much for your quick reply. I do appreciate you sending me another one and I do hope it will work. I am sorry that this has caused so much trouble.
Thank you once again for your service and understanding of this dilemma.

User Comments:

Hi Keith, Thank you so much for your reply. And thank you soooo much for having written your book, which helps me enourmously with my fight against my fear of flying. I also ordered the DVD and the CDs but so far only had the oportunity to watch/listen to them once. They are absolutely great. Since listening to them I took two flights and I kept repeating in my head all the things I lerant from the book and CDs - already felt much more at ease (though on the latest one I cried for half an hour -not loud, just the silent, scared crying), . I’ll keep “training” myself and will try to visit the forum regularly. Thank you and your team for your work!!!

User Comments: Hi Keith, I am only writing to say thanks for the advice- I’d have never thought of it (to see the videos through another browser)! And also, you have a lovely web site with many reassuring facts to find there! I myself always enjoyed flying, but for some reason only recently started to have problems when the plane is landing. Somehow it’s easier to accept those bumpy moments before touching down if you know some facts about the air and wind impacts on the plane.
And that’s exactly what you offer on your site!

I’ve got one more question, but don’t bother with it if you’re too busy. Is it possible to see the take off or the touch down through the cockpit anyhow (and I mean if one is not related with any of the pilots or a member of the staff)? I did see some videos taken from the cockpit, but you know, the real thing is the real thing! User Comments: Hi There went to Amsterdam then onto Singapore had a fantastic time must say the Fear of flying DVD helped me a lot. Cheers Keith keep up the good work. Off to Amsterdam on September. I received your package yesterday. You are so generous!! I do appreciate all of the items you sent and know they will be a great help. I am so impressed with your company and the way you respond to your customers. Thank you so much. I feel like I have been treated royally!!! I will be waiting to receive the DVD USA version that you told me about. It is very nice of you to send it to me. By the way, I flew recently and did quit well. That doesn’t mean I am a pro, as I still need some help. I do put my trust in God and He brought be through.
Your help is greatly appreciated.

User Comments:

I attended a fear of flying course which I believe was with Keith at a simulator at heathrow back in September 2005 which has helped me immensely. A friend asked me for the details and I am wondering if this is the same course I attended. I do have Keith’s book which was given to me on the day and also a small folder to record my thoughts and feelings on different subjects, perhaps you could let me know if back in 2005 that would have been the set up. many thanks,

User Comments: Hi there, I have been viewing your website for the past few days as i am a nervous flyer and would like to say that it has given me alot more confidence for my flight next tues 18th sept from manchester to sharm el sheikh. I wanted to let you know that everything arrived - there was just a minor delivery delay on this end. Thank you very much for your help and I look forward to working through your course!

User comments:

Hi Keith, I am writing to you from Australia - you may recall that you sent me your flying without fear package about 6 months ago. I have just returned from America - and I have to say that your package was outstanding in its content. I still cannot believe that I got on the 747 flight from Sydney to San Francisco armed with strategies to cope - yet did not feel even the slightest bit nervous as I had thoroughly absorbed your material. I felt as though I was much better educated about flying and therefore was able to cope and think rationally about flying. Thank you so much for the work you put into your book and CDs because they have allowed me to take the vital step of being able to fly long distances to go and see the world!
I am planning my next trip back to America next year.

User Comments:
Best site I’ve visited to-date.

Hopefully it might help me before my next flight. I have looked at the Flyingwithoutfear website, i must say its rather interesting to see you can download pod casts. I will be telling her tonight but anyways i would like to thank you for replying to my email.

User Comments: This is just to say ‘thank-you’ for yesterdays’ course. I would encourage anyone who isn’t sure whether to attend a ‘Fear of Flying Course’ to go for it! You couldn’t meet a nicer bunch of people who you felt genuinly wanted to help. I felt able to answer any question and that all questions were answered honestly. I also learnt how easily influenced we are by the media who take advantage of sensationalizing any incident. Keith, Turi and Vivienne don’t pretend to have a cure for those of us who worry about flying but their courses are certainly a good place to start. Thanks again, all of you.
You couldn’t meet a nicer bunch of people

User Comments: Hi Keith, CD arrived on Wednesday, thank you very much for all your time and effort, its much appreciated. Cheers,

User Comments:

Hi Keith, I just wanted you to know that I received the CD package in the mail yesterday all in good condition. Thank you SO much for going above and beyond in sending me the CDs and booklet. I really enjoyed and got much value out of the small free wave files I was able to download and listened to them while flying last time about this year. They were very reassuring and if you are the same “Keith” as on the files (and I am guessing you are), I must add that I found your voice and delivery to very soothing; that really made a difference in the presentation of the material. I listened to other online offerings, but found your material and delivery to be the best of the lot. I am sure you have helped many, many people. I am packing to leave for Jamaica tomorrow. One of my tasks today is to add the CD material to my Ipod. Regards Keith and thank you again for sending me the CDs; far beyond my expectations.

User Comments: Hi Keith, Wonder if I could schedule a 1hr call with you first such that you can listen to my story. Then you could come up with a suggestion for my treatment. Please advise the amount you wish to charge and how I can wire money to you. I can also pay by credit card should you prefer. My time schedule is flexible after 7pm xx time. I watch your dvd and knows that you have a 2 days course in UK except that I can’t attend as I’m in HK. I’m thinking of flying you to HK for a few days such that you can give me a one on one course on this subject (will pay for your flight, hotel, and fees). I work for xxx Investment as a xx level and my job is at risk as I can’t fly. So please help me. Previously, I had no problem in flying until a bus accident in April 06. Thereafter, I became so “risk averse” that I think flying is 100% not safe. I went thru some professional counselling in xxbut didn’t work out. Thank you for your kind consideration. Thanks User Comments: Hi, I’m an editor over at BraveNewTraveler.com - published a fear of flying piece today and linked to your fine site - thanks for the resources and feel free to put a link to our article into your archives. Thanks for answering my questions, they are veryreassuring answers. Have been thinking about the courses but they are quite expensive, but if it helps me then I think it would be quite well spent. I didn’t know you were a pilot so I guess you know what you are talking about!

User Comments:

you were kind enough to include me in your inaugural session. I think i mentioned to you how helpful I thought it was to assist me in getting over my apprehensions. I have just had the proof of the pudding as we have returned from a trip to Latin America involving two long haul flights london-rio and lima-london pls three internal flights to and from some small airports. I was comfortable during all these flights and it was due to your explanations and my consequent understanding of what was happening to and on theplane which made the difference. Many thanks. I shall be recommending your course to any friends who have any fears of flying. Regards.
I shall be recommending your course

User Comments: Dear Captain Keith, and all concerned with this site and related products, You obviously get a lot of letters thanking you for these wonderful products and services, but I just wanted to add my name to the list! I have had a life-long fear of flying, which while it didn’t actually stop me going on holidays, made me worry for weeks beforehand and limited my enjoyment of the holiday as I felt stressed about the flight back. When my husband recently announced that he’d booked us on a trip to Malaysia and Singapore, I knew I had to get some help, and your ‘Flying Without Fear’ products were recommended to me by a friend. I initially felt that my fear was too deep-rooted for anything to really help, but the book and other comments from the website helped me immensely. So much so that I actually found myself enjoying the flights there and back - even the turbulent spots, once I’d been reassured that it wasn’t dangerous. I just wanted to say a big “Thank You” for being caring and thoughtful enough to come up with these fantastic products and services. They have helped me so much and I’m extremely grateful. Kind regards,

Can you please advise if the “Flying without Fear” Pocket Help is available in retail outlet or is only available on line through yourselves. If it is only available online can you please advise on your delivery charges. I have already read the Flying Without Fear of which is an Excellent Read, but I would like the pocket book to take with me on my flight. If you could please help me it would be greatly appreciated.

User Comments: Hi Keith, Just wanted to thank you. I had a terrible fear of flying which would always lead to panic attacks, cold sweats and almost breaking my wife’s hand during take-off. Thanks to the CD set i bought last year I was able to go on honeymoon, still a little apprehensive but overall more relaxed, confident and comfortable with flying. I had a fantastic honeymoon and an already looking forward to my next holiday. I couldn’t have done this without the help given in the CDs and the way in which every question and fear I had was answered and explained. Thanks again.

User Comments:

Thank you Keith I think your web site is brilliant,

User Comments: Thanks Keith! Your site is becoming famous in my circle of friends. Here’s the picture. I have it as my laptop wallpaper to remind me every time I log on of how serene I felt on the return flight from a very successful and happy school trip to Rome. Maybe other posters will find this idea helpful. With very best wishes and warmest thanks,

User Comments:

Dear Keith, I received both the book and dvd. I just wanted to send a follow up message, which I have attempted to put on the forum but without success. After reading the book and watching the DVD I flew from Melbourne to London and back. Although I was a little apprehensive and nervous at the beginning of the flights, the nerves were minimal compared to past flights and I soon settled into the flights. I even began to enjoy the experience! I found that I handled the longer flights much better than the smaller flights in the smaller planes. Having the information about what was occurring with noises and movement etc, I felt much more comfortable and was able to manage my fears effectively. Your booked really helped a lot, so thank you for writing it. I would not say that I do not feel a little nervous at the thought of future flights but I know that i will be able to manage them and look forward to my next holiday overseas. I highly recommend the book and DVD to anyone who has any fears about flying! Thanks again. Regards,

I highly recommend the book and DVD

User Comments: Have just read your books and listened to CD . Marvellous! However could you reasure me(am flying to Florence on Sunday) A couple of years ago when landing in Newcastle the plane took off again. I was convinced we were almost on the ground and that the wings tipped from side to side and that they could have touched the ground. Could this have been possible and was it dangerous? Kind regards from xxxx who has spent the last 30 years being a total wreck on board a plane!!

User Comments:

Hi there Keith… Cannot tell you how much I am impressed by your prompt and personal reply….!!!!! As I explained in my earlier e mail I have spent years travelling by plane but being a quivering wreck!!!!!! The more I have travelled the worse I have become…Your book and CD have reassured me that I am not alone. I am a primary school teacher and people assume that I am a person who is in control. When travelling by plane I am quite the opposite and feel hugely embarrassed by my fear. What comfort to know that my fears are recognised and accepted as being the norm for nervous passengers. I intend to listen to the cds prior to my journey and to use them whilst on the plane. I will let you know how I get on.. Kind regards xxx
how much I am impressed by your prompt and personal reply.

User Comments: I recently flew from Japan to my native UK and back via Bangkok. I tested as having a moderate fear of flight on the test on this site. A return to England had been on the cards for a year and there was always this feeling of fear dampening the idea of seeing my family. As plans were made the fear grew. I’m sure you know the feeling. Living in Japan, long haul flights to see my relations are a fact of life but I would have to say my fear of flying has grown as I’ve got older. This time I was determined to reverse the trend and THAT in iself was my first step. My Pre-flight Checklist.
Step 1

Thinking about the flight I thought this is the first day of MY holiday, and I’ve paid a lot of money to be in that seat. I don’t want to spend this time in fear. Being a busy dad and teacher when else can I have a chance to not have anything to do but sit down and read a book of my choice, watch some movies, talk to my wife and have wines and drinks delivered to me on tap ! (Ok I know the reality of flying for us nervous flyers may not be so idylic but that was my mind set). A few weeks before the flight I purchased audio books I really wanted to listen to, and books too and got a package of exciting stuff all laid out on a shelf, wow I really wanted to pick that stuff up but no, it was ‘flight only’!
Step 2

Mentally I made 2 preparations: thinking through the flight step by step; that can be scary for nervous flyers but it did help. I was able to identify what was scary for me. I usualy did this in my car and I got to thinking turbulence in the plane, a common cause of fear, is usualy no where near as bumpy as when I’m on a rough road in my old jeep and I never panic about that ! I got to saying to myself jokingly ‘oh a bit of turbulence’ when the car was on a rough road. Similarly I’m not a great fan of when the plane is gaining altitude after take-off but I’d read that the angle of ascent is never as step as you imagine it. Now on my way home each day I go up a steep hill which I realised had to be much steeper than this angle, again I thought I’m hardly on the edge of my seat going up the hill more likely fumbling in my cd case or something and put this image of going up the hill as connected to ascending in the plane in my mind.
Step 3

I also pinned down WHY I fear flying which is largely the issue of laying up control and I think this is a common underlying reason for many people. Unlike the car you are not in control of the plane, you hand control over to the pilot. I realised I am INCREDIBLY bad at this in my daily life. I can’t deputise and even if I do I’ll be looking over your shoulder checking your turning the bacon just so or whatever. You may like to ask yourself how relaxed are you with handing control over? How often do you completely hand over control to others in your life? Maybe this is why kids are often much better at the flying thing than us adults. So I realised this was a weakness and then thought of the flight as a learning tool in releasing control. Again I set this up by practicing it over the weeks before the flight. My wife was suddenly mystified why she was left alone to get on with jobs without a certain busy body butting in.
Step 4

I really do think we fear what we don’t understand so I read up about many aspects of the air industry from what the ground crew are upto pre-flight to what the pilots carry in their bulky black bags. This site is excellent, I also recommend ‘Ask the pilot’ by Patrick Smith. The question/answer style of the book makes it easy to dip into to take your mind of things as you need, his enthusiasm about the industry contagious and he’s got the usual pilot’s no nonsense pragmatism that I, at least, find so comforting. It was in my hands going up and descending during the flight often.
Step 5

What makes a good airline is a subjective thing but I booked with an airline I felt good about. I think it would be worth asking the airline what in-flight entertainment system they have, an individual monitor and ability to see the route and flight data is I think very re-assuring. If, like me, you have issues of control being able to flit about through the channels and know exactly your altitude, speed etc. is a form of control. For the same reason the aisle seat is my seat so I can go to the toilet as easy as pie, as and when I like ! Going to the toilet is after all a person’s most basic expression of independent will. In-Flight Entertainment
Step 1

Firstly, as it happened, this was the first time to take my little boy on a plane and talking him through what was going to happen during the flight, doing the nursery ryhme ’round and round the garden’ as we took off and just watching him so easy and relaxed about the whole thing was a big help. You may not have that chance this flight but just watch a frequent flyer as he reads the paper on the way up, or the stewardesses chatting about those appaling hotel room last night or whatever for the same effect.
Step 2

You may have noticed I like writing, so I brought a new notebook and paper and wrote before the flight 2 headings on seperate pages. The first started ‘Basically I’m a control freak…..’beneath which during the flight I wrote stream of consciousness style about the reasons BEHIND my fear of flying . Writing is slower than thinking and this together with breathing from the diaphragm I found engaging and calming. On another level I guess I was trying to use the heightened state of activity the flight would cause in my brain to create something I couldn’t usually have made. Essentially isn’t that about using and thus controlling the experience of the flight ? Any creative activity such as doodling may work the same but hey, no ink splatter painting in the aisles, ok? Oh, the other title was ‘People who Fly’, under which I wrote one liners focusing on just how flying is a fact of life for so many people and no big deal. Here’s an extract: ‘Madonna for her oxygen facial in New York even though she lives in London. My 84 year old neighbours who’s only comment about it was ‘amazing what they can do now’. etc.
Step 3

Small tip but I take a small empty plastic bottle and put some juice in it once on board. Why? Well, when we bank or descend or just are cruising and the trim of the plane makes it feel you’re raked back take a look at the bottle’s liquid to see that actually the angles involved are really quite gentle and nothing like what you thought (the bottle is preferable to a cup of juice from the cabin crew since it can always be stowed with you and come out as you need it).
Step 4

On the outward journey I made a list of the things I was looking forward to doing when I got to my destination and remembered this is what’s at the end of the rainbow ! This is why I’m here, no flight, none of this stuff. On the return leg there’s still stuff to write, I wrote about all that stuff I wanted to get on with and make new starts. So that’s what worked for me. In hindsight I realise preparation is where the foundations of a successful flight experience are made. Remember P.P.P.P.P. (prior preparation prevents poor performance). I’m always going to have butterflies in my stomach about flying but my fear has definitely gone down a notch or 3. As my mother said about flying on our arrival ‘Flying ? A few minutes of sweaty palmed excitement sandwiched between several hours of boredom’.

User Comments: Hi, first, let me thank you for a wonderful website to help people like me who are afraid of flying. User Comments: Hi Keith, Thank you very much for your personal and prompt response. I really appreciate it. I already have your book - it is my bible on every flight (and believe it or not I still fly a few times a year) and am now going to order the DVD and CDs. I will be flying with Easyjet and I have heard that they are as safe as BA or any other major airline - would you agree with that? I am a bit concerned that I cant reserve a seat near the front but I am hoping that the stewardesses will be helpful. Thank you again for your help. I think it might be good for me to do a course but first I will look at the DVD etc…

User Comments:
I already have your book - it is my bible on every flight

You’re web site is excellent. The audio recordings/playbacks’ are first class.  Many thanks.

User Comments: Hi Keith, Just wanted to let you know my flight to Seattle was successful!!! For me, the fear of flying is more of a claustrophobia issue, and while that is not your program’s primary focus, I did find it to be a good tool for desensitizing to the whole flying experience. The “Your Flight” section was particularly good for that. It was also helpful to know more about how the plane operates and that there may be any number of reasons for this or that noise, or warning light other than the terrible ones I am so good at imagining Thanks much for your service. My company has an office in London, so maybe one of these days I’ll get to come see your part of the world Take care,

User Comments: This is a long story. Having travelled by plane, train, sea and car quite happily since birth, I inexplicably developed complete terror after a flight ten years ago. I continued to force myself to travel by plane for a further five years but became an increasing nuisance to my family as the hysteria and panic set in when little bumps and then the dreaded turbulence occurred. It was impossible for me to travel alone by air and the anxiety and fear eventually spread to boat and even routine train travel. I was unreasonably trapped in my own panic. I more or less avoided flying for five years, just taking a couple of short hop flights to my beloved Nice with the help of diazepam and my supportive husband. It was still too much to ask and I couldn’t control my terror or the humiliating activity of my insides. Finally last year, after a return flight from Nice that was quite bumpy, I announced I would never fly again. My sister lives in the US and had been very good, coming to the UK so I could avoid the horror of a transatlantic flight yet still letting us be together once a year. That was fine until she had a series of operations on her feet and flying was no longer an easy option. This year I was given the opportunity to go to the States for two weeks with my husband in September. He was partly on a business trip so I could see my family - if I could get on a plane. I went to my GP, discussed fear of flying courses, collected even stronger diazepam then went home and prayed for something to happen so that I didn’t have to go. Then I found your site. I listened to the excerpts and began to feel that someone out there really did understand my problem. I downloaded all four CDs to my MP3 and began to listen to them. The week before I was due to go to Boston I was a private wreck. I was still listening to the recordings and beginning to understand what was going on when a plane flew but still had to make that huge leap of faith and get on the aircraft. The day arrived, I took my diazepam and got on the plane and went straight to CD 2 so I could follow each stage. In the meantime, my husband had told the senior stewardess about my problems and before we took off she held my hand and towed me up to the cockpit. I have to admit I was actually crying with fear at this point and they hadn’t even started engines. The pilots were fantastic, reassuring me and promising a smooth ride. It was a smooth ride! There were a few tiny bumps and everything from engine start-up to landing was just as narrated on your recordings. Each time I felt uncertain I listened to a track and repeated what was said back to myself. I had taken a long haul flight successfully! Two weeks later I prepared myself to fly home; still using a diazepam I followed the same routine. This time there was no visit to the flight deck and we encountered the dreaded turbulence - my biggest fear of all. The fasten seat belts signs went on and off throughout the flight but I listened to the turbulence track and recited the mantra, “It may be uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous”, continuously. Flying Without Fear enabled me to get off that plane as a normal, functioning human being and although I know I’m not cured (yet) I can get help and support at the press of a button. Thank you seems to be quite inadequate. You have helped me to re-open my life and take a positive approach to dealing with a real showstopper. What’s next on my travel agenda? Nice next April and New York in September for a family get together, accompanied of course by my MP3 personal support coach! Thank you so much Flying Without Fear, I really could NOT have done it without you!began to feel that someone out there really did understand my problem.

User Comments: Regards, Hi, I kept meaning to reply to your email and thank you for all your help and support. We have been to Disneyland and it was eventful to the say the least - everything that could go wrong DID. Flight delays, loads of waiting ……. xxx did struggle and it was v v v hard work but we did it - he loved flying especially the take off and landing - the bits with turbulence, he craves movement and rough touch so he was very excited and enjoyed those bits but everything else he was extremely anxious about. The flight staff were brilliant and made lots of allowances for xxx- they let me take him on the runway to look at the planes and get rid of some of his nervous energy, screaming and yelling, which helped after 3 hours of waiting. All in all it was an experience and we are planning on returning to Disneyland as we have learnt so much about travelling with xxxx and definitley want to do it again because although it was extremely hard work and traumatic at times we have to live our lives and xxx has to experience these anxious moments to help for next time. Thank you again.

User Comments:

Hey, this website is amazingly good. ive learnt that whenever i get any panic attacks on the aircraft i have to use breathing techniques. that really helps. by the way, i feel EXACTLY the same as how the person from austraila feels like, on the Panic Attack page. i can travel with cars and trains. but i get panic attacks and avoid travelling by boats or planes. but sometimes i can also get panic attacks when im in an elevator. i’d rather walk than go in an elevator. i think im more claustrophobic. but when im travelling on an airoplane my doctor has prescribed me 4 tablets called diazam. it makes me drousy. im going to take it on my 12 hour direct flight to L.A. oh my god. 12 hours!

User Comments: Captain Keith, I sucked it up and off I went on Aire New Zealand and I have got to say it was amazing! No regrets! Thanks you did it again for me.

User Comments: Thank you so much for all your help. Last year I had 19 flights due to my job. I still get anxious during a flight, but it is nothing compared to the horrors I lived through before!

User Comments:

Hi, I flew from Dublin to Munich and back again this week. These CD’s are amazing. I had only started flying again last year after stopping for 3 years. I used to get panic attacks. On Saturday I played your CD and also on Sunday while in the airport. I was much improved at the take off. Still quite tense in the cruise. I now know it is all getting easier. I just have to try and park my worries in the weeks before a flight and I will be o.k. Thank you so much.
These CD’s are amazing.

User Comments: Firstly, I’d like to thank you guys for the fantastic CD. My fear of flying started about 14 years ago when I had an emergency on my flight, it was an engine fire and the plane had to make an emergency landing in Algeria. I did not fly for another 10 years after that episode. I have flown 3 times since then and only because I have had to and in what I can only describe as agony. This CDs are a great help and I can honestly say I am almost looking forward to my next flight week

User Comments:

Hello. Just a quick email to say how useful I found the “Flying Without Fear” DVD. I was able to fly to NY from the UK and and stay a lot calmer than previous shorter trips. I was even able to enjoy the veiw! Maybe I just watched too many episodes of “..seconds from disaster”. Thank you,

User Comments: Hi Keith, Just to say a big THANK YOU for all your help, did try to go on your website but either my computer is playing up or something because I couldn’t access the boards. Anyway, you flew the plane fantastically but did feel a bit of a bump when we landed, only joking… and coming back was even faster, don’t know how you managed that … we did have to circle the airport for a bit and knowing it could be the ’stacking system’ made me feel better. I am so glad I spoke to you, because I seriously don’t think I would have even got into the taxi to the airport and did do the breathing exercises and kept reciting to myself, ‘we can land in 15/20 mins if needs be’ you can cope for another 15 mins…I tried not to look panic stricken and anxious but not sure I could do a long haul just yet…Once again thank you very much for all your wonderful advice and help.

User Comments:

i took my flying without fear book with me and read it from front to back twice before getting to the airport. then started reading it again when in got there. i was feeling fine until i was waiting to board where i was really sick and was crying my eyes out. while boarding a lady pulled me to one sine and told me that she had your book and had been on the simulator course and was very reassuring. i waited until the end to get on the plane and found that my seat was right in from of the exit on the wing and i was sat next to one of the cabin crew. he was very interested in your book and i taught him a thing or two!!! well i made it to spain. the flight was fine and i read the relevent sections of the book to the part of the flight we were on so i could recognise the noises, and i was really proud of my self. we came back last night (flying with monach) and i have to say although i was fine before getting onto the plane, i was more anxious on the flight back. it was really bumpy although this didnt bother me as i had read all about it, it was being in the holding area above gatwick that made me panic. and when we took off the engines were making a really loud buzzing noise that i had not noticed before. do you have any idea why this might of been. it dyed out when we had levelled but it really made me at edge. and the reverse thrust made me panic too and the plane didnt seem to slow down very much. now im home i do feel glad i went

User Comments: Keith to let you know I went there and back without panic! It was a short flight which helped and I was able to enjoy the sights of the Italian coast as we were coming in. To be honest I didn’t get to listen to all the download before I went and then, on the plane, found that it had failed to download properly to my MP3 player (my fault) so didn’t have it with me BUT the elements I had listened to before I went stayed with me and were extremely helpful and I passed some gems of wisdom onto some of the more nervy pupils.

User Comments:

Off to Malta in July! Thanks for this marvellous helpful service I have just read this and I literally felt a weight lift from my shoulders….it makes very good sense By lunchtime today more people had been killed on the roads in the USA than in this accident, by tonight more than twice the number will have died on American roads…by this time next week more people will have died on American roads than in the entire year through in commercial air travel. Since I started this forum 4 years ago nearly 10,000 people have died on British Roads and nearly 20,000 from cross infection in NHS hospitals Many thanks for that and all the other comments you put on here (in your own time) to ease peoples fears…you and your colleagues are obviously very kind people. The fact that I’ve now cancelled my next hospital visit and refuse to drive to the airport is neither here nor there….:-) Thanks again Keith for your time and patience

User Comments: Hi Keith, I referred a friend to you site a while back. She has just dropped me a catch up email and this was one of the paragraphs she wrote. I wonder whether it would nice if we could get her to endorse you? Just a thought. Kind Regards… I have been meaning to contact you to say a massive “thanks” to you as flying isn’t a horrid experience anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Successfully conquered New York as you know and Cyprus in June - thinking that I can manage a flight over 7 hours now - amazing Thank you so much Keith. I think you are wonderful! Its so rare these days to come across people who have so much time for others!! Your committment and patience is plain to see! Thanks so much for all your support! User Comments: Aloha Keith and Gang, I get to go see my family next week! I’m listening to your cd #3 right now so I thought I’d bop in to give you my update. It’s amazing that I’m not heavily medicated right now, my husband just asked me yesterday, “How are you doing”? I told him I am so fine!! I don’t need to listen to the cd because I’m not even feeling anxious, but I just want to stay this way so it’s good to be safe and listen anyway. I wanted you to know that even if I do get nervous before flying or in flight, I will be fine because of the resourses you’ve all provided me with. Thank You so much,

User Comments:
I think you are wonderful! Its so rare these days to come across people who have so much time for others!!

How are you??? I am doing really well. I have been on quite a few flights over the last few years and all went well. Still get nervous but nothing at all like it used to be. I even took 30 ladies on a shopping trip to Melbourne without my husband holding my hand. That was a big test for me and it was easy as. The site looks good, you certainly are getting many people through difficult issues. So when are you bringing this to Australia? There is a huge market to crack over here with this problem. I am certain you would have seminars packed with scared Aussies!!!!! If you ever decide to do something like this and need advice on a venue to hold it at etc, I would be more than happy to help and help you organise it. Hope you are well and wishing you continued success with this. Thank you for helping me.

User Comments: Hi, Keith — I read your book before taking my first transcontinental flight (Miami to Portland, Oregon on the Pacific coast). I not only enjoyed reading it, I also learned a lot. I was able to take the flight not without minor anxiety — but I was really able to enjoy flying for the first time. I’m getting on an airplane again next week so I looked up your book and I’m going to read it again before taking this trip. Knowledge is better than tranquilizers! I doubt you need another testimonial, but if you do, please feel free to use this one. A thousand thanks.
I was really able to enjoy flying for the first time.

Keith, Thought I’d just drop you a note to say ‘I’m back’ from New York! Have already posted on the forum, but wanted to thank-you personally for your help. My return flight was even better than the outward. I sat, waiting to become nervous and panicked - but it didn’t happen! I was relaxed and comfortable during the flight, and even slept for a few hours! My outward flight would have been perfect except for encountering something that isn’t covered in your book - the tacklessness of other passengers! I was unfortunately seated in front of an outspoken lady, who decided to chat loudly to her friend about all the ways you can die in plane crashes. In my vunerable state (and at the time, taxing to the runway), I felt most of my hard work research and positive thoughts to cure my fears unravelling - and I got rather upset. However, with support of my partner (who was astounded at the change in me - he’s seen the worst of my fear!), by the time we were cruising I was fine. We hit some quite bad turbulence, but with the understanding your book gave me - I become more concerned that I might spill my cup of tea!! Amazing! Please find attached a couple of photos of me in New York - just to prove I was there, plus a photo I took coming into land yesterday - sunrise - I couldn’t stop staring at it! I don’t know whether you would be interested, but I made some quite detailed notes during my outward flight, about my preparations, and how I coped with the various stages. Would you be interested in having these notes? I’m so very pleased that not only did I get through the flights - I actually rather enjoyed them. And I very much thank you, your book, and your very supportive website. I wouldn’t say I’m completely cured - but I’m a long way there! I would be more than happy to help you in any way with your website - please let me know if there’s anything I can do. My kindest regards,
but with the understanding your book gave me…

User Comments: Thank you seems such an inadequate phrase to use ! I have returned from my four days in Venice and my first flights in eighteen years due to my flying fear. Not only have I enjoyed the best four days of my life in the most beautiful city, I LOVED FLYING!!!!!!!! Having read through your brilliant book twice before I left, and getting reassurance from you and forum members, I overcame my initial ” wobbles ” to actually really enjoy the flying experience. I was able to explain to myself any strange noises or movements and to know everyting was completely normal. I was lucky enough to have a total cherub of a cabin crew member, Henry, who reassured me throught the journey to venice, and apart from the airport experience (very unfriendly places) I was pretty happy and calm on the way back. The view of the Alps from above reduced me to tears of awe, and quite frankly I want to fly again and again and again forever and ever!!!!!! I had my 41st birthday last Saturday, so I’ve left it a bit late to develop a love of travelling but never mind. I intend to make up for all those wasted years. Hoping for a lottery win this week then there’ll be no stopping me. Thank you Keith, I truly wouldn’t have done it without you, I hope you know just how special you are and how many lives you have changed!
Thank you Keith, I truly wouldn’t have done it without you,

Dear Keith, I have never enjoyed flying, but had flown fourteen times prior to this last week. Many of those flights were taken within a three year period until the summer of 2002, when I made any excuse not to fly. This has included ‘being helpful’ by trnasporting the family’s skiing bags to the French Alps, and, this Summer, driving just less than 3000 miles across France, Switxerland and Italy because ‘ I did not miss anything on the ground.’ All excuses you have heard before, I am sure.For the past three October half-term holidays, I have explored different parts of Scotland with my father-in-law, whilst the rest of the family flew to Sinai for a hot, beach-based holiday. I, however, came back, on each of the three holidays, feeling rain-sodden, very pale (by comparison) and that I had paid more for my week in Scotland than they had for the three of them to go to Sinai!!I longed to fly, and decided to do something about it. As you, through Jasper, say within the CDs, there is no ‘miracle cure’ and there is no one answer. The holiday for us all, including me, to go to Sinai was booked back in May, and I had worried pretty much, about the flight, since then. I kept putting the matter off, and keeping myself busy so that I did not have to think about it. A couple of months ago, I bought your book. Having read the book from cover to cover several times, three weeks ago I went to your website via the link in your book. I am delighted that I downloaded the four CDs to my iPod as, for the last two weeks, I have listened to them, from start to finish, as I drove to and from work. Yes, there is an advantage to the half-hour commute each way! I feel that my greatest source of fear was not knowing what the different aeroplane noises meant, including the two regular chimes that mean ‘pick up the phone!’ I also needed to know what happened to an aeroplane before the flight, and what happened during different stages of the fhlight. I took so much advice from the CDs; I had downloaded some of my favourite comedy series to my iPod, to listen to on the plane, and I had invested in some ‘calmers’, as well as buying an eye-mask and some earplugs to ‘dull the noises’ but still know what was happening. Last Sunday (22nd October), I was up and ready; I even drove the whole distance to Gatwick as a means of retaining my focus - this is not something I could have done before. Previously I would have been curled up on the front passenger seat! I had booked seats for us in one of the executive lounges, where I could sit and watch ALL of the planes coming and going safely! There were some moments of ‘quiet’ panic but the family were very supportive, and had agreed not to keep asking, “Are you all right?” The worst moment was when the flight was called; we did not rush to the boarding gate but, using your advice, we proceeded calmly and let others rush there first. I left my family, at one stage, to go ‘for a walk by myself’ and shall never forget the looks of relief on their faces as I reappeared at the boarding gate. Getting onto theplane, I told the Chief Steward that I was an ‘anxious flier’; he was excellent, and he came to talk me through the different ‘noises’ and stages of the flight. What I did find is that the anticipation is often worse than the flight, as I was a completely different person once I was on the plane and in my seat. I had everything that I needed around me and was thinking positively. I talked myself through the different stages of the flight, and eagerly looking forward to the next stage of the flight. On the outward journey, I was even looking forward to the in-flight meal (not possible, I hear you say!) and I managed to sleep - again, something I would not have done before as I would have been waiting for every ‘new’ noise. The return flight, yesterday, was even better; I had not spent the whole week worrying about the return flight as has been my previous pattern. In fact, I was so ‘laid back’ that my children informed me that I needed Valium as a stimulant! Yesterday, I flew without any sense of panic and enjoyed the flight to the extent that I spent some time talking to the co-pilot, I walked around without fear of tipping the aircraft, I talked myself through mild turbulence, and I swapped places with my son so that I could have a window seat in order that I could watch and talk him through the landing.Although this is a long e-mail, it is written with a great sense of delight as I have achieved more in the last eight days using your book and CDs than I would ever have thought possible. I can only express my grateful thanks to you and Jasper for the content and delivery that has made that difference. I am sure that this is only the beginning; at some point I have to face the mental barrier of the Atlantic Ocean as I would like to visit North America and Canada, and I have been asked to walk to the South Pole (this trip involving eight flights in three weeks - four of them over the Atlantic and Southern Oceans). The amount of water is a huge worry and any advice / words that may help would be gratefully received.Finally, as Jasper says, ‘at each stage, really congratulate yourself.’ Tonight we shall toast this new achievement of more informed, and panic-free flying with champagne, and we shall raise a glass to you and Jasper. With my best wishes, User Comments: I can’t thank you enough for your support. I can’t believe you dedication. Hats off to you…you are a great person. User Comments: Hello Keith Many many thanks for the CD and book. I have listened to the the CD every time i have been in the car and read the book 3 times! I have just returned from a holiday in Djerba and although I did not enjoy the flights they were certainly much more comfortable having gained the information from your CD and book. The journey home on Saturday was very bumpy and there was a lot of low cloud as we got nearer the UK, making visability from the windows very poor, but by repeating ‘it might be uncomfortable but it is not dangerous’ as suggested on the CD, I was able to just concentrate on not being sick!!!! I had not flown for 20 years as I was so scared on a military flight back then that I vowed I would never do it again but thanks to your CD and book I was able to overcome my fears enough to enjoy a fantastic holiday. Many thanks again.
I vowed I would never do it again but thanks to your CD and book I was able to overcome my fears

User Comments: Hi there Apologies for not contacting you before as I bought your book in January, but I just want to thank you for writing such an informative document. I flew to New York after reading it and coped very well with the turbulence - in fact, I would go as far to say that turbulence is not an issue for me any more. I was still anxious about changes in speed and noises in the cockpit, and so I will look at downloading the audio set as that sounds like it would be of interest to me - I have a business trip to Milan in June so hopefully by then I will be much more confident! Anyway, thanks once again for the extremely useful information you give. It is a very informative book which I have recommended to all my friends, and your website is also very interesting. It’s comforting to see that many other people experience exactly the same issues as me. Thanks and best regards

User Comments:

Dear Keith I was astonished and delighted to receive your Cds in this morning’s mail having only ordered them yesterday - congratulations on your excellent service. Having already read your book several times I was pleased to hear the CD’s ( partly through CD2 as I write) which I’ve found most helpful and reassuring - in short absolutely first class. I am determined to be flying again very soon knowing I am better prepared to face my anxieties thanks to your products. Thanks again
congratulations on your excellent service.

User Comments: Dear Keith, Thank you so very much for sending the CDs before xxxwent off to Cyprus (this very morning) - I haven’t heard yet how she got on with the flight, but I’m sure she will be in touch with you herself on her return - she so appreciated your hand-written note enclosed with the CDs, also your kind and understanding email last week - VERY many thanks indeed,

Sincerely,

User Comments:
Thank you for your kind and understanding email last week

Hi Keith, I am not new to your site and often drop by and read all the helpful tips from yourself and your forum members - I have never posted anything before though. I think the site is wonderful. I have had your book for just over a year now and it has been most helpful. I would be very interested in the new dvd/booklet you mentioned in your post on 7th June, please do let me know when it would be available to purchase and I will gladly send payment to you. I am due to fly tomorrow from Leeds to Palma; I have improved quite a bit since reading your book which I think is excellent. I had a 3 year gap without flying at all after becoming completley terrified for reasons that I don’t know why. I got to a stage where I would feel like I was going to dye just because I had booked a flight and when it came to the actual journey I would simply close my eyes and cry the whole flight - terrible behaviour and not like me really. Last year I decided to pluck up courage and go on a couple of short haul flights to Berlin and Prague which was a big step for me and when I had done it I felt a great sense of achievement. At the moment and perhaps it is because the flight is tomorrow and I am thinking about it rather a lot I am pretty nervous and I don’t want to be. It is very reassuring knowing that your site is there for help and I am enjoying reading the helpful posts once more. How kind of you to devote your time and experiences to this site; an extremely thoughtful thing to do - thank you. Kindest regards,

User Comments: Dear Keith That’s fantastic, great!! I’ve managed to get all the files and having listened to CD 1 I have to say thank you very much for providing such an audio course!! I have used your book now for two years and it’s helped me in many ways but the vocal reassurance from the CD adds to my confidence!
Thank you for everything! I can now fly off on my year in Japan

by Hazel Gilbertson

When it comes to flying, former aviophobic Hazel Gilbertson has her feet firmly on the ground.

I took my first flight more than a decade ago. I remember how excited I was as the plane taxied towards the runway. As it paused for the final okay from air-traffic control, my excitement grew. Then, suddenly, the engines roared into life, the plane started shaking, and even before we’d started moving, my fingers were wound tightly round the arm-rests and inwardly I was screaming desperately for someone to let me off. I was terrified.

Things went downhill rapidly from there. By the time I got off the plane at the other end, I was a quivering mass of nerves. It ruined my holiday as I spent the two weeks worrying about the return flight. Once home, I swore I would never get on a plane again - a promise I have broken only in extreme circumstances.

My team for the day consisted of Captain Keith Godfrey, a retired British Airways captain and training pilot; co-pilot Mike Elms, a first officer commercial pilot;

I was surprised by how bad I felt that morning. I knew I would be in a simulator. I knew I wouldn’t be leaving the ground. But I was suffering from nausea and trepidation, as if I was about to get on a real flight. I would have given anything to get up and walk out.

“Okay, then, Hazel,” Keith began, “let’s start on a few basic points. What are your main concerns about flying?”

Where to begin? “Well, I don’t like the feeling of taking off much,” I offered. “I’m always waiting for the back of the plane to hit the runway, and bang, a complete ball of flames. Then once we’re up, and the plane’s banking, I’m terrified we’re going to clip something and bang, ball of flames.”

I was in my stride now, grateful to be able to let it all out. “Landing is just as bad. Coming back down through the clouds with all that turbulence is awful. When I came back from Spain last year, the cloud was so low, and the plane was being buffeted about so much, I swear when we finally made it through the cloud, the plane was practically at a right angle and the wing was that much off the runway.” I pinched my fingers together about an inch apart.

“When we actually do get on the runway, what if the brakes fail? We’ll go scooting off into a building and bang, ball of flames.”

Embarrassed, I paused. But nobody was laughing at me.

“Am I the worst?” I asked. “Not at all.” said Keith. “So taking off and landing are problematic, but you’re okay while you’re up there?”

“Not exactly. I have panic attacks about the engines failing mid-flight and we fall out of the sky. Bang. Ball of flames.”

“Well, we’ve certainly got some work to do today,” said Keith. “Come on, let’s go flying.”

We entered a corridor with glass on either side from which I could see the four simulators available. They were bigger than I’d expected. My nerves were beginning to jangle again. As we approached the B767 where my “flight” would take place, I could feel my legs start to wobble. Keith took me through the safety procedures for evacuating the simulator in the event of a fire in the building, or a breakdown in the mechanics of the simulator, and, after strapping me into my seat - with a prime view out of the front of the cockpit - showed me where the panic buttons were, which would stop the simulator immediately if I felt the need. “We stop whenever you feel it necessary, and we don’t do anything you don’t want to do,” said Keith.

Although I was at Heathrow, the simulated flight was to be from Gatwick airport. The view of the runway when the simulator started up was frighteningly real. Keith talked me through what was happening in the plane as we headed up the runway. He explained why the engines made the noises they did, why the plane shuddered so much before take off, and why on most flights, banking happened so quickly after leaving the ground. More important, he explained how the plane couldn’t “overbank”, and would most certainly not clip anything. But it still took us three attempts to get up the runway before I would let them take off.

Once up, of course, you have to get down somehow. Keith and Mike took me through the whole process again, talking me through every noise, every bump, every aspect of landing. They even showed me how it would have been impossible for my flight from Spain to have come in to land the way I had described earlier. I could feel my confidence growing, and I wanted more. I wanted turbulence.

We took off again from the now familiar Gatwick runway and headed towards the south coast. Mike hit the button for slight turbulence. I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so bumpy but I stuck with it. When we hit medium turbulence I was a bit less sure. Severe turbulence pulled me right back down to earth. I was scared again. Keith turned round in his seat to talk to me. I turned in my seat to see what Mike was doing, and to my horror instead of flying the plane he was looking out of the window. I panicked. “Mike, what are you doing?” He didn’t even look round. “I’m just looking to see if I can see the Isle of Wight,” he replied. That’s when it struck me. We were 35,000ft over the south coast, experiencing severe turbulence; the pilot was holding a conversation with me and the co-pilot was looking for the Isle of Wight. If they felt in complete control then why shouldn’t I? That was the turning point for me and I felt myself relaxing.

When we finally left the simulator for the post-flight talk, I felt great. I could have got on a plane right there and then and flown anywhere. “We do advise people to fly within four weeks of doing the course,” said James. “Memories of what you’ve experienced in the simulator tend to dim slightly after that.”

Still confident, I booked a flight to Cork to visit some friends three weeks later. The morning of the flight I rang Keith. I admitted I didn’t feel great, but I had slept the night before, which I didn’t normally do before flying. He assured me that was a step in the right direction, and told me how brave I was for doing the course in the first place.

Sitting on the runway waiting to take off, I began to panic slightly. The engines burst into life and we sped towards take-off. I closed my eyes and imagined myself back in the simulator. I heard Keith and Mike talking me through everything, and I began to calm down. After that, whenever I felt anxious, I did the same again. I ended up quite enjoying the flight, and hardly thought about the return trip the whole time I was in Cork.

Three months on, I have trips planned for the coming year. All of them entail flying, and I’m almost looking forward to it. Of course I’ll be taking my own personal crew of Keith and Mike with me. Just in case.

Reproduced from the Sunday Telegraph, 19th June 2002.