Have you done a "fear of flying" course?

[ThoseWhoFindThemselvesRidiculousSitDownNextToMe]

And if so, how was it? I'm thinking about it... but just thinking about it is making me feel anxious. I haven't been abroad in decades and I want a beach holiday!

I’ve done Captain Tom Bunn’s “Soar” course, along with his book. He’s both a licensed therapist and a former airline captain and military pilot, so it’s a good mix of therapeutic techniques and actual facts and information. I was surprised to learn a lot of the latter particularly: despite both my father and grandfather having been aero engineers, there was a lot about the mechanics of flying which I didn’t actually know. Learning stuff about how takeoff works, that planes can actually glide hundreds of miles even after losing all thrust rather than dropping out of the sky, what all the different noises mean etc was great.

I doubt I’ll ever love flying, but I can now do it several times a month when I have to (work) and for pleasure travel without dreading it for days before. You can pick the book up cheaply on Amazon, so it’s worth doing that to see whether it’s the sort of thing which might work for you.

I did an easy jet one - it was really good - did it online . This time when I flew I was still nervous but I knew what all the noises were and didn't feel so bad when there was turbulence.

I found an excellent hypnotherapist. I went from utter terror, sitting in my seat on the plane, afraid to move or look around to yawning on the way to the airport, relaxing in my seat and strolling down to the on board loo and waiting in a queue by the exit door staring out of the window and thinking 'wow, I used to be so afraid of this'.

That was about 5 years ago prior to a flight to Australia. It took 3 or 4 visits to the hypnotherapist. It doesn't work for everyone but it worked for me. Don't be afraid to find a therapist you like and warm to.

Yes. But still not keen on flying even tho I know how it all works and the people at the front are highly trained.Dutch Pilot Girl on YouTube makes it look easy. I'm far safer in a plane than I am in a car.

My son did the Virgin (Fly without Fear) course, and I went with him as an adult.

Before he did it, he got off a plane as the anxiety was too much, after he did it, we flew to Barbados! (I was working for Virgin at the time)

I did this one too. Life changing in a good way.

This is all sounding positive! If it's not a silly question, does address a fear of heights? One of many issues I have about flying...

Fun fact - apparently, fear of heights and claustrophobia are both higher among pilots than the general population. They’re both linked to fear of a loss of control, and of not being able to control your surroundings - pretty understandable. Most fear of flying courses will aim to tackle fear of loss of control and therefore fear of heights.

I got lifetime access to the easyJet one. I redo it each time I am going to fly and it’s very effective.
Ive also realised part of my issue is feeling a bit travel sick on planes so I take one kids travel sickness tablet and that really helps.

I did the BA fear of flying course and it completely cured me. I wennt from someone who had come home from a holiday abroad by train to someone who ishappy to fly today. really recommend it. (before then I was full on tranquillisers. etc it was horrible)

Yes I've done one. It definitely helped, I still get anxious for long haul though. Not as badly as I used to at all.

EasyJet fearless flyer course - would totally recommend it!

Yeah, claustrophobia is another fear of mine. I'm not sure that knowing pilots are scared too is helpful lol 😂

I can see why it’s disconcerting at first! I suppose you can look at it as being reasonably comforting that a pilot with their own worries about control of their surroundings is less likely to be blasé about risk and will operate in a structured and measured way which helps them to control their own fear as much as their responsibility to carry out their job.

Hello again, I'm just bumping this thread because I'm so close to booking an EasyJet Fear of Flying course. The thing that is holding me back is because I'm scared of flying! If anyone else has positive stories to tell I'd really appreciate it!