FEAR OF FLYING SIMULATOR COURSE

A brand new fear of flying Simulator course is now available in the UK. In conjunction with CTC Aviation these courses are now available on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 12 noon and running until 5 o'clock.
Course price is £799.00 plus VAT. This is HALF the price of our competitors. How can we do it for this price? Because we own the Simulators. You'll get up to two hours in the flight simulator which means that you'll get at least an hour and a half in the air and lots of time to settle in and feel comfortable. NO rushing to jump out to let another customer in...we own the equipment.
And we have our own catering facility and choice of meeting rooms. A dedicated facility to give you the best opportunity to overcome your fear of flying.
With the latest visual images, our simulators can fly you from your local airport over your home, your workplace or where you used top go to school...and if you want to we'll let you to take off and fly around and help you to program an automatic landing.
If you're interested in coming give me a ring on 01420 588 628 or 259
Fly with the experts.
Keith

Latest developments and products

Just to let you know that we've a some very interesting products coming on line in the next couple months.

First a downloadable audio fear of flying course. The course will take you through the various stages of overcoming your fear of flying. Developed from discussions with fearful flyers it is packed with easy to understand tips and guidance to help you to find a strategy to deal with your fear.

Second. We have commissioned a composer to write music just for anxious flyers. Nothing has ever been produced to help you through the times when you feel particularly anxious...until now. Music for the boarding gate, music for take off, turbulence climbing and many of the other phases of flight.


Third...well that's at the printers...and will complement our first volume. Soon to be available as a digital book.
Fourth. You know about..it's the simulator course.
Captain Keith

Simulator Fear of Flying Courses

We're just in the final stages of negotiating the use of flight simulators for a fear of flying course.

The plan will be to have courses for two people at a time and a more general course for a group of people where a longer ground course will be accompanied with a simulator flight.

We're certainly not the first in the field but once again we're going to be the best. We are going to develop the course which I designed and which is in use elsewhere. This isn't a picture of the actual machine...it's just a nice picture.

Captain Keith

Mistaken Identity

My thanks to a couple of people who have written to me about their course with our competitors. For the help support and encouragement you want check out our network Logbook 24/7

LOGBOOK 24/7 is the only social network available for fearful flyers. Not only can we give you expert 'technical' guidance you can exchange feelings and experiences with people like you, who feel like you, who have the same worries as you. People like you get into the air just by talking to other members about their fears.

Remember it's only LOGBOOK 24/7 where you get support for as long as you need it.

Check out these interesting videos from the network.

Keith

Safety

An interesting program on the television last night discussed survivability in emergency situations. The overriding conclusion was that having a plan of what to do is the biggest factor in survival.
Contrary to popular belief people do not panic at first but tend to freeze in disbelief.

Read the safety card
Listen to the cabin crew safety briefing
Have a plan.

Keith

Fear of Flying course

Check this out this link if you want to see what people think of a fear of flying course that will work long term.

"Brilliant"

Captain Keith

Fear of Flying

Just in case you think you're the only person who is anxious about flying, you're not...we've had nearly 10,000 visitors from 117 countries so far this month. (18th February)

Let me know how I can help you and I'll respond as soon as I can. You can contact me from the home page of this site. http://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/

Captain Keith

Relax Remember and Go Flying without Fear

Our In flight Guide is the perfect thing to slip into your pocket or handbag if you're an anxious flyer. It's packed with useful tips for every stage of your journey, starting at home, travelling to the airport and in flight. There are tips about your well being , about the myths of flying and simple strategies to make your flight more enjoyable.

There's no other publication like it. (£3.99) (US $9.99)

It's 21 pages of essential in flight reading for anyone with a fear of flying.

Buy it here

Free when you buy the number one best seller Flying without Fear

Captain Keith

The psychology of the fear of flying

After a year of planning and discussion I've received the first draft of a new book that we're producing. The book will be a companion volume to the Flying without Fear book that we published six years ago.
The draft version looks perfect from an anxious flyers perspective because, like the first volume it's a question and answer format which makes it very easy to read. I know this book will be a great success and can promise you that I'm pestering the author to finish it as soon as possible.
A free signed copy to the person who can give us the best title for it.

Keith

Fear of flying Network

Come and join this fast growing network for anxious flyers.


http://fearofflyinghelp.ning.com/

Fear of flying

Compared with most web sites ours doesn't figure.

In the group that helps people with a fear of flying we're doing fine!

We just clocked up our millionth visit ...not bad in less than two years.

1,000,000 plus visits!

Keith and the team

Fear of Flying courses

It's a crazy thing but last week someone contacted me regarding a fear of flying course. After some deliberation he decided that he couldn't really afford it. Because his flight is imminent and he sounded in a bad way I suggested he came anyway and paid me later if he could. Unfortunately another problem arose and he had to cancel.This may all be perfectly genuine but to me it seems that the fear he lives with is better than facing it head on and perhaps overcoming it. Now bearing in mind he is living in terror of his flight it's hard to imagine what he thinks can happen that will make his fear worse.

It's a very common thing to happen. So if that's how you're feeling contact me and let's talk about what we can do about it. 01420 588 628

Keith

Fear of Flying Course

Most people delay going on a course until there's almost no choice, it's a course or lose the holiday. The mind isn't in the best state to accept new ideas and values when there's pressure.
If you're anxious about flying book our course as soon as you can, and that will give you time to practice all the things we suggest.
And once you've paid for our course you can come back for a free session any time....which means you can actually do two courses, one immediately and then the one you would have done at the last moment.

Its the best course available.

Keith

Fear of flying. Phobias. Courses

Last night there was an interesting program on the television about phobias.

If you happened to watch it and wondered if there is a connection between any of the phobias shown and your own fear of flying then I can explain.

Each of the phobics on the program was slowly introduced to the object of their fears. This is called graded exposure. Then and only when they were ready they had to face their fears. They had to touch a frog or approach a tall building, whatever their fear was they eventually had to face it and found that it wasn't quite as bad as they had imagined.

If you want to overcome your fear of flying come along to our course where we address your fears in a similar way.



Captain Keith

Fear of Flying Course

Despite the size and brand influence of the airlines who run courses we're pleased to say that we're the only company with our own facility, designed and dedicated to helping people to overcome a fear of flying.
The first course of the new year is on the 17th January and we know that our course really is the best way to address your fear of flying. Getting on a flight, in a group after exposure to limited information, under supervision is not the only way to overcome your fear of flying...in fact it's a very short term fix. We shall be running courses on the same days as our competitors so if you're tempted to book with them, check our site and book with us instead...remember we'll give you a money back guarantee, because your needs are more important than ours.

On our course we will give you guidance on how to deal with set backs, how to develop your personal strategy and most importantly we will deal with your questions and queries on a personal basis. We'll take you'flying' stage by stage with you in charge but with our support. We carry a maximum of ten 'passengers' and we have a 'crew' of three.

No company however big the brand will match that. This year our plan is to become the UK's biggest and best provider of courses to overcome your fear of flying.Make 2009 the year you changed your life.

THE BETTER Flying without Fear book

We're pleased to see that on the Amazon popularity list this book is more than 78,000 places ahead of its recent rival of the same name.

Although the flyingwithoutfear.com brand is smaller than its UK airline competitors we feel that our personal serviceand the qualityof our products is unequalled.

We have constantly lead the field in the quality of our website help and are pleased to say that where we have lead others have followed by copying.

Please visit our worldwide social network for fearful flyers at

http://fearofflyinghelp.ning.com/

Keith

Fear of flying social network

Hi, Just to keep you up to date and to encourage you to join we have 94 members already...that's in ther first four days. We're not likely to exceed Face book or My space but for a specialist group we're off to a great start.

The network connects people who are anxious or have a fear of flying. You can upload pictures and videos and we have a number of groups for geographic areas or particular interests.

You don't have to contribute but most people get an enormous benefit from sharing and finding out that they are not alone.

http://fearofflyinghelp.ning.com/

Keith

Flying withoutFear Another edition

The bookFlying without Fear is now being published in Brazil.

Fear of Flying Social Network

Hi

This was the first day of having the new fearof flying social network on line. So far over 50 people have signed up, we hope that will continue.

The network is called LOGBOOK24/7 and is a support site for anyone who has a fear of flying or anyone who has had a fear and can help other people with hints, tips, encouragement, help and support.

We've got groups so that people with a particular fear can meet in one place and talk about it.

Here are the links and I hope you'll join us there.

http://fearofflyinghelp.ning.com/

http://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/fofc/

Fear of flying success story

Here's a picture of Jenny in the land of the you know what and where. (USA)

Jenny struggled with a fear of flying for years before deciding that she really needed to do something about it. She did and with the help of our book and attending our Sights and Sounds Seminar she finally made it to see her sister in Nashville.

Well done

Keith and the team

Fear of flying

Hi
As the holiday seasons approach we notice increased activity on our Forum. It raises an interesting point and that is that most people avoid dealing with their fear of flying until as late as possible.
It doesn't make it easier to overcome your fear if you delay things. If you have a fear of flying, and you probably have if you are reading this then I do urge you to start your strategy now. It won't make it worse I promise you. You'll need to get used to flying and all the things associated with it at some time so why not now?
If you see this post just email me from the main site and I'll make you a Christmas offer on all our products.

Keith

Fear of Flying. Knowledge

Hi

We just had a message posted on the Forum asking about something called 'shake stick'...an expression that worried the writer. She thought it was some thing awful that could happen to an aircraft.

In fact it's a safety device that's a normal part of any airliner. Far from causing fear this knowledge should have been a positive thing. Unfortunately the words 'shake stick' were incorrect...the correct words are 'stick shaker'.

It's very very common for anxious people to misinterpret facts, that's why on our forum you have the chance to ask a pilot any question you can think of about flying.

Keith

Fear of flying. Success stories

Here are some recent messages we've seen on the forum, not from people who had just a fear of flying but people who were so petrified and so terrified of flying and were convinced that they would never ever fly.





"Once again you are the first to know my amazing achievement. I flew home last night from Nashville!!!! I was more nervous coming back which I think was because the flight was late in the day and I was getting tired. I don't think it has all sunk in yet, I never thought I would see the USA but I have. It has taken two years of training but it is worth it. Love J"

"I'm VERY happy to be home. I woke up this morning with a massive smile and stretched out in my bed enjoying the relaxed feeling for the first time in a week. Bliss! I'm appreciating everything at the moment, hugging and kissing my family - even my spotty 14 year old Brother, who reeled back in horror when he saw me coming at him all puckered up!" From F.

And here's a message from a lady just back from Australia.

"I just wanted to say a huge thanks to everybody on the forum but especially to Keith. Your book, DVD and podcasts have been my lifeline these last few months. I've actually really enjoying learning about aircraft,
My first thank you (and I am sure you will all understand why) is to Keith, for caring enough about people like us to start this forum. Without the forum, yours Keith and my friends (you all know who you are) support right from the beginning, I could never have made this journey and what a journey it has been…………for all your kindness, support, encouragement, advice and friendship, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. It all started 19 months ago" P.

When this lady joined the forum to say that her daughter was emigrating to Australia and that she felt as if she would never see them unless they came home to visit her. Through thick and thin she stuck with it and after a couple of short flights eventually took the plunge and took a flight to Australia. Not at all easy for her but with 24/7 help from the forum she did it. Where else can you get continuous help for 19 months? That's why we think it's the best site available anywhere.

The team

Fear of Flying. U.K. Fear of Flying Courses

Hi everyone,

At last I'm able to report some more progress on our Sights and Sounds Seminar. We have now taken 'ownership' of the aircraft where we run the seminars.



Now that have a permanent facility we shall be able us to run courses more frequently than we have in the past. We shall equip the cabin and cockpit even more comprehensively than previously so that the experience will not only help you to overcome your fear of flying but will be enjoyable too.


We're proud to say that this is now the only permanent venue for fear of flying courses available in the UK. and offers you an effective long term strategy for overcoming your fear of flying.



And remember that once you've attended the course you'll be free to come along for a free top up anytime you need to.

For more information about the course please ring me on 01420 588 628

Your fear of flying can soon be a thing of the past.

Captain Keith

Fear of flying web site. New home page.

Hi everyone

People with a fear of flying often start their converstaions with me by saying that they are anxious about, turbulence, loss of control, engines stopping or whatever...so our new home page will take you straight to the things that cause you most anxiety. If you're anxious about turbulence, then just click on the picture that says turbulence and you'll go straight to a page that'll give you some information and some tips about turbulence.

If you're worried about the engines stopping, click the picture and you'll get help and re-assurance straight away.

We've redesigned the home page so that you can go to the help YOU need in one click.

And very soon we'll have a brand new feature on the site that will really bring a new dimension to the site and be a very very effective resource for anyone who has a fear of flying. We look forward to seeing you 'on board'.

Keith

Fear of flying

Hi

It's been a while since I've posted a blog because of so many other things to deal with on the site. The good news for me is that I'm off to Australia to give a talk to the graduates of the Qantas fear of flying course. It will give me the chance to meet up with some of the people who have been names on the forum.

The Sights and Sounds Seminars have been going well and we are slowly spreading the word about them. And the forum continues to grow everyday.

We're in the final stages of a new social network that will combine a forum and lots of other facilities.
We seem to spend most of our time preparing to launch modifications to the site to make it more interesting and more useful. The next change will improve the look and feel. Then we're into the big phase of launching a whole mass of new and modern content.

Captain Keith

Meet the Author UK | Search for an Author | Keith Godfrey | Flying Without Fear

Meet the Author UK Search for an Author Keith Godfrey Flying Without Fear

Fear of Flying Course

We have just completed the first course using the aircraft cabin. We're pleased to say that the day helped everyone who came along. For those with a fear of flying the opportunity to sit in a plane and hear the sounds and watch the various stages of flight was very rewarding.

A couple of people had flights within a week and they said that it was ' amazing ' and 'very helpful' to them...so we wish them well in Hawii and Sydney... next week another is off to Lapland to see father Christmas. We send them our heartiest congratulations.

We are proud to say that our new course is unlike anything else available certainly here in the UK and we think anywhere in the world. This course will give you lasting help and strategies that will get you flying and keep you flying.

Keith Turi and the team

Fear of flying. Success story

Here's Steve and his family on their trip to Orlando. With help from everyone on the forum Steve took the plunge and overcame his fear of flying and like many others has posted his story on the forum...which is a story well worth reading.

"The staff on the flight were absolutly superb though, very professional and cool, if I had been really nervous they would have been the sort of people I would have wanted around me...and before we knew it we were landing. Im sorry to say I have nothing to report about the landing..I didnt even know the wheels had hit the ground..(probably due to the large cushion of air under the wings that I read about on here somewhere) I thanked the stewardesses for the flight and commented on their professionlism ('all in a days work' one said) and off we got. In summary...I cant say whether I would or wouldnt have done the flight without the fantastic help from this site...but it really did help me to understand so much about what I never knew before...thus making the whole experience a pleasurable one...remember, 'knowledge is power' and knowledge will allow you to have the power to control your feelings. So, many many thanks to Keith and the team and everyone else who took time out to post on the forums..."

Our pleasure....Keith and the team

Fear of Flying Course

Hi. Here's our plane ready to take you on your fear of flying course.

This is going to be the best course on the market because it's designed around your needs.

In aviation we try and we test everything before it goes into service and this course has been no exception. However we are constantly revising and updating the course to meet your needs.

Remember this is a course to prepare you to fly by building your confidence and knowledge...this will set new standards in meeting the fearful flyers' needs.

£99.00 (plusVAT)

Lunch and all day refreshments are available at £5.00

Keith Turi and the team

Fear of Flying. Sights Sounds and Knowledge Seminar

Here's the first picture of the almost completed fuselage where we'll be conducting the new fear of flying seminar. Remember if you have a fear of flying, this course will give you all the preparation you'll need. For some people we expect it to be a first step, for others we're think that they'll get enough confidence and support from the course that they'll be ready to fly.

Whatever the outcome this course is the only fully interactive course available in the UK.

If you want to overcome your fear of flying on this course please email me at Godyk@aol.com

The Course is £99.00 exc VAT Lunch and refreshment is available at £5.00.

Captain Keith

Fear of Flying. Success Story

"Dear KeithI 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 my fear of 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.Sincerely - thank you. J H"

Fear of flying. Success story

Here's Harry and he made it!

Harry has been working on his fear of flying for a while and this is him smiling and flying at the same time. So everyone at flyingwithoutfear.com sends their heartiest CONGRATULATIONS to another successful flyer.

Keith and the team.

Fear of Flying Success story

Here's Lisa in sunny Barcelona.

Another person who with the help of our forum was able to deal with her fear of flying.

Our heartiest congratulations to her. She deserves to be smiling.

Keith.

Fear of Flying. Success story.

"Hello Keith -- I am a friend of Pete and Fiona and have just returned from a long overdue visit to their home in France -- it has taken me months to pluck up the courage to fly on my own -- once commited to the flight, Fi sent me a copy of your book which I read from cover to cover -- I flew on 1st October Edinburgh - Gatwick - Toulouse and returned a week later again on two flights -- your explanations re noise during the flight etc had allayed my fears completely and I felt like a seasoned air traveller -- I, in fact, amazed myself -- I would just like to thank you for writing such an informative book and helping me overcome my irrational fear of flying -- -- thanks again -- regards -- L C"

I'm pleased to be able to post this email I received today. Keith

Fear of flying. Security breach.

A number of people have asked me about the item in the news where an Airline Pilot has been dismissed for allowing a football player on to the flight deck to help deal with his fear of flying.

We live in a world where every rule is stretched to its limit, and then, when broken a case is put forward to allow the rule to be extended yet again.

But on this occasion I can not see how this rule should be changed. The Captain of an aircraft is charged with the responsibility for the safety of his crew and passengers and changing the rules on the spot for anything other than the immediate safety of the plane and its occupants can not be acceptable.

The case is forwarded that this man is a character and life would be dull without his like....this matter is not a question of being a character it is a question of having strength of character...to do what is laid down regardless of personal preference. That is the sort of character that is required to fly in the political climate of 2007 . The rules are not different for war veterans.

Finally I am disappointed that a member of my own profession has let down the countless people that I have told can trust that airline pilots not to break the rules when they are flying. How long will it now be, before those with a fear of flying will believe that airline pilots never break the Law?

Captain Keith Godfrey

Fear of Flying.

From the Fear of Flying Forum...

"Just had the DvD, great and definatly worth buying, if you have a fear of flying. Quite funny really how the first question by the group was about the maintainance of aircraft..one of my main fears. I'm 90% there now (which means I'll be going)..anything less than 75% and I would have stayed at home.

In fact Im looking foward to the flight more so than other times we have flown, i'm looking forward to hearing all the noises that I have heard before but didnt know what they were, and that 'sinking feeling' I really thought that was just me... and I have literally had nightmares on those lines over the years...the planes engines straining and the plane losing height...horrible dreams.

But now Im looking forward to experiencing it because I know what it is. I'm even looking forward to seeing the lights flash on and off when they disconect the plane from the tow.

The DvD explained a lot to me on technical issues, having said they and flying itself have never been my main worry. The the thing I took most from the DvD was how natural it all was, from Keith's explanations to the 'feel' of the seminar itself. Almost 'matter of fact' but not in a condescending way. The thing that stands out above all though is... how the whole film... everything, its production and script has a very personal touch.

If you do buy it, and I strongly recommend you do, you will hopefully notice how it doesn't have a 'there's a market here, so let's milk nervous flyers for a fast buck' corporate feel about it. They will get the feeling that, along with this site, there are actually people out there who care about your fears and genuinely want to help you."

Posted here by Keith.

Fear of Flying baggage tag design.

A little while ago we received a suggestion on the forum that perhaps we should produce ' something ' that would identify people with a fear of flying to others who also have a fear, when they are travelling. In this way anyone noticing another fearful flyer would have someone to share their feelings with. Clearly only those wishing to share their feelings would identify themselves . In addition, and in accordance with the recent ICAO recommendation that Airlines and Airports should offer assistance to anxious passengers, it would be a simple way of identifying those with a fear of flying. The most popular suggestion was a baggage tag. There is no need to have anything other than a design that can be recognised by those that know it. For check in staff and aircrew this would be a very discreet way of knowing who might need a little extra consideration. We shall reproduce the image shown here, on the flyingwithoutfear.com website so that it can be copied and printed by anyone wishing to use it, in any way that they feel shows it off most easily. We suggest a baggage tag for both checked in baggage and something to attach to your cabin bag.

This is the first day...it may take off or it may not....certainly it will take time to catch on but for my part I shall circulate the message to as many airports and Airline senior management that I can contact. Perhaps you will help by producing your Special Baggage tags.

Keith and the Team at flyingwithoutfear.com

Fear of Flying. The Departure Lounge Restaurant

We're in the final stages of preparing the aircraft cabin that we're going to use for the new fear of flying course at The Departure Lounge Restaurant in Alton Hampshire.

The Fear of Flying Course;

This course is a completely new concept combining three proven methods of re-structuring attitudes to flying. Each 'traveller' will have his or her specific needs dealt with.

Fear of Flying; Boarding and Take Off

The day will start with the boarding procedures and will progress through the stages of a flight all the way to a landing. You will hear the welcome aboard message the safety briefing before hearing the engines starting. At each stage you'll be able to ask questions and we'll stop the flight until we're all ready to move on. We've got some great in flight entertainment that will ease your worries and that you'll actually be able to enjoy for once!

Fear of Flying...in the cruise

We can guarantee that there will be no turbulence for the entire flight but we'll take you through a re-assuring explanation and demonstration that could remove those worries once and for all. Somehow I think we'll have to make a diversion because of a technical problem...but that won't be anything like your imagination can suggest...it'll be a very comforting experience.

Fear of Flying. After the diversion.

Then we'll have to start up again and take off, so by the end of the day you'll have heard and experienced all the procedures so many times that you'll think nothing of it. And again you'll hear all about the procedures that make flying so safe.

Fear of Flying. A successful landing

Unfortunately at our destination there's some bad weather and we need to 'hold' for a while. Will we have enough fuel? Will we divert? What is the delay really about...we'll take you through the whole thing gently, helpfully and at the end you'll be a whole lot more confident and knowledgeable than you ever imagined. At the end we'll give you something much more valuable than a Certificate signed by us...we'll give you the tools to deal with your anxieties about flying that will work for you whenever you fly. You'll leave with confidence and knowledge and support from the group that you'll meet on the course, and if we don't answer every question you ask we'll return your money. Course dates very soon.

We'd tell you more but we want to keep the rest this fantastic course a secret from our competitors.

Keith and Turi

Fear of Flying. Success story

Hi everyone,Well I am back from my overseas trip to Hong Kong & Thailand. I had to take 5 flights during a two week period - I experienced little discomfort on any of the flights and only felt extreme anxiety leading up to the first flight out.

Thank you all for your ongoing support over the period leading up to my trip.I had an amazing time - I rode elephants, ate, drank, laughed, shopped, had massages and experienced live theatre. I now have the travel bug and although I accept that I will always experience some fear of flying I now know that I am more than capable of flying and that I can handle anything.

Thank you especially to Keith and all the best to everyone that visits this site.

Nellaanne

Fear of flying.

We're pleased to say that British Airways have recently linked to us from their site. They recommend visiting our site if you suffer from a fear of flying. There are many useful articles on their Health pages for the travelling public.

Keith and the team

Fear of Flying Success story.

"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 transporting the family's skiing bags to the French Alps, and, this Summer, driving just less than 3000 miles across France, Switzerland 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 , 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 the plane, 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, RW"

Fear of flying success story

February 2007

"I've just posted on the forum, so thank you for helping me to do that. I really would love to post a postcard, but haven't had any success. I'm therefore attaching one to this email, in the hope that you can perhaps do it for me. I'll completely understand if you don't have time!

The picture was taken at 36,000 feet (can't believe I'm typing that!!) and it shows the Zagros Mountains between Iran and Iraq....so very beautiful. How could I ever have missed out on this!!!!

Thank you again - hope this is no bother.
Yours gratefully, Paula. "

My apologies for failing to post this earlier...a technical hitch on my part. Keith

Fear of Flying. A letter from a 'grateful customer'

" I last flew to Jamaica in 1997. I cried for days before. I was surprised they let me on the plane as I was in such a blind panic. I cried all the way there, and I cried all the way home. I spent the entire outward journey leaning forward and grabbing the headrest in front of me, and ice packs on my neck. The cabin crew were fabulous but I was out of control and in fear for my life. After that flight I vowed never to fly again. And I stuck true to my word, missing out on some wonderful holidays. Fast forward to June 2007 and a job opportunity came up ... . That meant flying TWICE a week and eventually flying alone. Well, I almost didn't take the job, and it was only that I was travelling with a trusted friend that I got on the plane. It is only half an hour flight time, and the first flight can't have been any better. But my thoughts on touch down were that there was no way I could do this every week. I trawled the internet and came across this site and I ordered up the full lot of material. The flight home that week was full of thoughts of the package awaiting me at home. So, on the Saturday morning, my fiance and I settled down to watch the DVD. Brilliant! It answered lots of questions that I had, and Keith's explanations weren't flippant or pompous. They were matter of fact. Then I read the book. Cover to cover. Twice. And I read parts of it most weeks if I'm feeling a little nervous. I listened to the CD's. These were excellent. All those noises that you wonder about. And I keep the little book of calm with me in my luggage. I'm not cured, but I fly every week, and sometimes alone. I've done two flights in one day too! I don't bound up the plane steps two at a time, but my life is no longer consumed with the fear of flying. And the moment I'm most proud of so far?

Just last Friday, I boarded my home flight and a young man boarded behind me. I heard him tell the crew he was nervous and as he sat down I called across the aisle that I used to be that nervous. He asked how I managed now, and I told him about this site. He asked if he could come sit with me, and of course I said yes! I took him through what I knew. I told him it would be noisier up front, but I was sitting here because I wanted to be first off the plane! I said it could well be a bit bumpier. I described all the noises that made him jump, I told him about the sensations of your body when you leave the climb and settle into the cruise, and how you feel as you come down toward the landing. Basically I all but narrated the book! At the end of the flight he thanked me very much and said I should train people in this sort of thing! And it's all down to this site! Thank you Keith! "

Fear of flying. Trust.

Today we have added another 20 Videohelp clips to our site. This one is unusual for a site that deals with the fear of flying because it shows aircraft and pilots at their best, and perhaps at their limits. However it shows how military aircraft provide a lot of research into aircraft safety. The Red Arrows, known throughout the world for their amazing displays are part of the process of team building and communication skills that are an essentialand normal part of modern civil aviation.

Flyingwithoutfear.com continues to be the most comprehensive help resource available to anyone with a fear of flying. Please help us to spread the word through your friends, families and work associates.

Keith and the team.

Flyingwithoutfear.com Endorsement of the site

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/weblinks.aspx

We are pleased to say that we are the only fear of flying help resource to be listed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

We are listed under Phobias.

Fear of Flying. Frankie overcomes his fear.

I was delighted to meet Frank at the World Fear of Flying Conference. He is the sort of guy you can immediately engage with, friendly, confident amusing...hardly the sort of chap who you'd think would be anxious about anything, let alone a Fear of Flying. He addressed the Conference and spoke from the point of view of someone with a Fear of Flying. He kindly agreed to make this short Video to help others. And I hope if you go to Montreal you'll visit his shop. If you want inspiration to overcome your Fear of Flying watch and listen to Frank.

Keith and the team

Fear of Flying. Icing.

On my flight back from the Channel Islands this week I noticed that some ice was forming on the front of the wings. As a pilot I know that this is perfectly safe but I wondered how differently this would be seen by someone with a fear of flying. Even though the clouds are made of water vapour as soon as they contact the wing it turns into ice which sticks to the wing and spoils its shape and efficiency. In the cockpit there is an ice detector that warns of the presence of ice, which prompts the pilots into switching on the anti icing devices. Depending upon aircraft type this can be electrically heated wing edges. hot air directed along the front of the wing or inflatable

rubber tubes along the wing that break off the ice mechanically.

So if your fear of flying involves worrying about ice on the wings I hope that from now on you'll relax and be confident that it poses no problems for the aircraft.

Keith and the team.

Fear of flying. Air Disaster program.

It can not be without coincidence that the Discovery or National Geographic channel on Sky has a half page advertisement in the paper while the front page carries a photograph of the air crash in Thailand. What is the advertisement for? The Air Disaster program being screened tonight. Fear of flying.

If that's not a cynical use of sensationalism and grief I can not imagine what is. But the advertisement is puerile in my opinion. It poses a rhetorical question to bait the reader. The description of what might happen to a Jumbo based on the word 'if'. Well I have an' if' for Sky, if they stop publishing this sort of rubbish they'd help a lot of people. How extraordinary that in the UK a warning has to be given if a program contains bad language or scenes of a disturbing nature...but that a 'documentary-drama' doesn't seem to have any limitations on the misleading advertisements it displays. A programme that willfully contains re-constructions of a disturbing nature... not for any reason other than cashing in on the emotions of anxious people. They, Sky, will defend their actions by saying people have a choice whether or not to watch the programme ...but the damage is already done. Their case is no doubt correct in law, correct within the advertising rules but it nevertheless stinks. To answer their question posed in the advertisement simple maths will solve the problem...however the facts they give are misleading. Apparently their is a thing called a plunge which aircraft do...well I'm pretty well at the top of the tree in aviation training and I've never heard of such a thing. Then they claim that the 747 is spinning wildly....aeronautically and aerodynamically there is no such thing...an aircraft is spinning or it isn't there is no such thing as a wild spin. They are the adjectives of the ignorant.

HERE'S THE ANSWER THEY THINK YOU ARE TOO SCARED TO WORK OUT.

Following a fall of I think 3000 feet in 30 seconds the aircraft goes into 'the plunge' ' spinning wildly' and during this manoeuvre loses 4 miles in height (that's 21120 feet) in a minute. Thus the total height loss is 24120 feet and starting at an altitude of 40,000 feet, there is 15880 feet in which to pull out of the dive before impact. At the rate of descent calculated here it has 16 twentieths of a minute to recover. A 20th of a minute is 3 seconds therefore 15/20 ths (roughly) is 45 seconds. The answer is 45 seconds. I wonder what the program will suggest?

The purpose of this blog is to discredit the programme with regard to it's suitability for people with a fear of flying based on the facts in the advertisement. The programme itself will no doubt consist of a few pieces of footage being shown endless times, a camera being shaken to give the impression of being out of control and lots of speculative opinion about what did, could, might will happen and will end in a summary along the lines that danger lurks everywhere, or that we'll never know the answer, or that it's only a question of time before it happens again.

If you have a fear of flying, ignore the programme. I shall be watching it because to me as a professional pilot having flown for 40 years or so it will be a source of astonishment and amusement.

Keith and the team.

Fear of Flying. Accident in Thailand.

On the flyingwithoutfear.com website we have always been critical of the press coverage of aircraft accidents and incidents. Today a major world wide news service was actually inviting viewers to send in their pictures of films of today's crash. With what purpose can that serve anyone's interest? What it does though, is to illustrate the news value of sensationalising rare events. For someone with a fear of flying, their immediate reaction will be to become even more fearful. The reports of the survivors seem to take precedence over any qualified assessment of the facts. It is a well known psychological fact that once we know the outcome of an event we believe ourselves to have predicted it before it happened...though few people seem ever to benefit from this insight when they experience it. Of course we can understand why this happens in the light of an experience which has been life threatening, but it doesn't add anything to the facts of the matter. Regardless of how any survivor describes today's accident, what they felt emotionally will be totally irrelevant to any enquiry or cause of the accident. What it will do is add to the fear of flying that exists within the population. To hear these personal reports gives us a vicarious insight into the most basic of all human instincts, what is the nature of life and death. It has value only to philosophers, doctors, therapists, psychologists and anyone who has an interest in understanding human life... or the media who can trade in it for all its sinister value. It has absolutely no value or benefit to air safety. Therefore it can have no value to anyone who interprets the personal reports as a true account of what happened. It affects only their thoughts and therefore their emotions. ..and it that which subsequently affects their behaviours. For those with a fear of flying there is a direct causal link between these sorts of reports and an increase in their fear of flying.

"We were coming down too fast" is like saying the surgeons knife was blunt because we're left with a scar after an operation there is simply no way of knowing unless you are eqipped with evidence. The human body can not measure anything in the way of motion unless it is changing.

To come directly to the point, if an annual report were published each year of the number of deaths caused in worldwide air accidents, numerically it would read approximately 950. If there were no press reports, no pictures, no news flashes, no personal stories, no interviews at bedsides, no eyewitness testimonials, no uninformed comment...in other words no press or media clap trap then the figures may surprise you or not but I seriously doubt whether they would stir your imagination like today's reports. If you want to overcome your fear of flying DO NOT pay any attention to media reports. If you would like to hear my comments on any media reports, send them to me and I will interpret them for you.

This article has taken me and hour and a half to prepare, revise and publish. In that time 7 people have died on roads in the USA, 1 on the roads of the UK , 1 in UK hospitals from causes inflicted by the hospital by cross infection.

Captain Keith Godfrey

Fear of Flying. New Web site home page.

The most popular and helpful feature of our web site is the help forum. If you have a fear of flying then this is the best help resource available anywhere in the world. There are now over 5000 messages of help and support and new members join each week. Members who have found a way to deal with their fear of flying help others by telling their stories and by passing on hints tips and encouragement to those still anxious about flying. The success of the forum comes from the honesty and genuine interest that members have in helping each other with their fear of flying. The forum is not a chat room flooded with idle comments, and gossip, it is a well organised help resource with many fearful flyers making regular contributions. If you are suffering from a fear of flying and want informed, friendly and useful support then please take a look. On the support forums you can post your story, your postcards or your own hints and tips. It's free, of course. We look forward to meeting you on the forum soon.

Keith and the team.

Fear of Flying. New Web site home page.

On our new home page we have three main panels to direct visitors to the source of help that they need. This panel will take visitors directly to our on line shop where they can buy our fear of flying products. Items can be bought via Pay Pal and prices are in GBPounds or Us Dollars. We aim to dispatch our Fear of Flying products within 24 hours of receiving your order and the prices are inclusive of taxes and delivery charges. Delivery to the USA and Australia for example is approximately one week.

Flying without Fear. The Book

Listen & Go Flying withoutFear. The 4CD Set

Remember and Go Flying withoutFear. Our Flight guide

Flying without Fear. The DVD

Fear of flying. New web site home page.

Flying withoutfear.com is the biggest help resource available on the web. For those with a fear of flying it is the perfect place to get the information and help that you need to overcome your fear of flying.

As this picture (taken from our new home page) shows we have hours of free video help available to you. We have a number of free audios that will help you to become familiar with aircraft and flying. Have a look at our unique visual help page. You can get our free podcasts to download to your Mp3 player. There are over 200 pages of help for you. There is an assesment page where you can find out about your fear of flying. We have hints and tips top help you before after and during your flight. There is a comprehensive dictionary on the site. You do not need to go anywhere else to get help with your fear of flying but if you want to there's a map feature showing you where your nearest help facility is...anywhere in the world. Soon our calender of events will be able show you the times and locations of courses throughout the world. Flyingwithoutfear.com the biggest help resource in the world .

Keith and the team

Fear of Flying. A warning.

I have just been reading a website that claims to be able to cure your fear of flying, cure your smoking habit and do a number of other miraculous things for you. The information is presented in a way that seems credible. But to my senses as an experienced pilot is best described as utter rubbish. For instance there was a simple claim to see the beauty of a sunset when flying west...that is the way you look to see the sunset when you're on the ground...in a plane you need to be flying very very roughly North or South so that you can see out of the window towards the sunset...only the view from the flight deck going westwards will let you see the sunset. A claim to have seen flames pouring from the engine is quite improbable...rarely do flames from an engine indicate a fire...in fact if you get flames from anywhere you'd want them from the place they should be coming from, and out the back of the engine is the safest place to see them.

An engine fire, in the sense that a pilot would need to deal with it, is unlikely to be visible to the passengers, and is usually an overheat, not a fire in terms of flames. I can not stress how strongly I feel about your need to disregard this sort of non sense. It is presumably designed to give credibility to the author and startle the reader. There are no miracle cures in overcoming a fear of flying. Flying is not dramatic and as an experienced pilot I can spot a frauds and their Hollywood talk a mile away, but of course it will be difficult for you to do so.

Doctors use doctors' talk, plumbers use plumbers talk, but charlatans talk like experts and there's the danger.

Helping you to overcome your fear of flying is our aim. We do it quietly and I hope modestly, but it means that that we don't have headlines, we don't claim that we know all the answers and certainly we do not make claims for your likely success other than by your own efforts. If you see a a statement that you're not sure about contact me and I'll give you my opinion on it. I subscribed to a free email newsletter recently and receive regular 'Hints and Tips' and I have to say that the claims and descriptions are ludicrous. The facts are often incorrect, information is out of context and would fool only people who have put their trust into these people in the hope of overcoming their fear.

How does such information help anyone to overcome a fear of flying? It is outrageous that such advice should be uncontrolled. At the next World Fear of Flying conference there it is highly likely that there will be a form of accreditation introduced and not before time in my opinion.

Captain Keith Godfrey.

Fear of flying. Knowledge

On a clear day like this we can see the 'condensation trails' of this aircraft which is cruising above 31000 feet. From the plane you can see a distance of about 120 miles. If you have a fear of flying, this can make you feel 'suspended' because it's hard to see that the plane is moving. We are about to release a video which will show you how to overcome this extra anxiety. A fear of flying can be oververcome...and we're here to help you to do it.

Keith and the team.

Fear of flying. Knowledge

" Hi Keith, well here we are in Sardinia. We have had a great day, and tonight ...

I just want to say thank you again for all your help, will speak soon."

Jenny."

That's from someone who had a very bad fear of flying!

It's nice to get thanks...but Jenny is the person who did it. It is her courage and determination that gets her on a flight and to a happy holiday. We only help along the way.

I hope that she congratulates herself as willingly as she sends me a postcard. This story is a perfect example of how a fear of flying can be dealt with...it's not easy...but it's possible.

Well done Jenny from everyone at flying without fear.com

Fear of flying. Safety on board.

Among the people that have a fear of flying there is often an understandable process of denial. No where is that more evident than their feelings during the cabin crew safety briefing. They feel that their chances of being involved in an accident are increased if they accept the need for, and listen to, the safety briefing. In the cold light of day, even to someone with a fear of flying this seems wrong ...and unwise. Not checking that you've turned your oven or iron off before you leave the house doesn't change the statistics of house fires...what does it do though?

Keith and the team.

Fear of flying.

In line with our ambition to be the most useful fear of flying help resource available in the world one of our projects for next year is to provide you with even more information about flying. For many people with a fear of flying there is a belief that flying is magical and defies the laws of gravity and physics. Our new video animation will show you everything from A to Z about how an aeroplane flies. We have our own virtual fleet of aircraft from a DC3 to the latest Boeings. With the help of simulation we can fly from anywhere in any conditions...explaining everything on the way.
Keith and the team.

Fear of flying. Knowledge.

A fear of flying is often heightened at the airport if an aircraft is undergoing maintenance while it is parked in view of the passengers.
During a routine steering and tyre inspection of my car, recently my anxiety levels hit the roof. A long conversation between two mechanics turned out to be a re arrangement of their shifts...not a major fault with my car.
Thoughts connected with a fear of flying always upset confidence and feed negativity, they never turn into positive thoughts and actions. Knowledge is the only antidote to this, common human weakness.
Keith and the mechanics.

Fear of flying. Turboprop aircraft

Sometimes a fear of flying can be aggravated by the type of plane that you fly in. Most common is a fear of flying in an aircraft that has propellers. The aircraft engine shown here is a combination of a jet engine...and a propeller. It has the reliability of a jet and the efficiency of propellers. This is an excellent combination for short trips and small airports.

The noise is quite different during parts of the flight and it's likely that you'll hear a 'throbbing sound' as the engine speeds are different. If you have a fear of flying use this knowledge to reduce your anxiety.

Keith and the team

Fear of Flying. Airports

At the World Fear of Flying Conference this year a recommendation was made to ICAO ( the World Governing body responsible for aviation) that airports and airlines should take more responsibility for passengers who have a fear of flying.

I agree with this because as this picture shows airports are not user friendly places for anyone...let alone someone with a fear of flying.

International Flight Connections to the left and International Flight connections to the right.

Keith and the team

Fear of flying. Technology

To a pilot...this picture is a perfect office to work in. The ergonomics are perfect, the layout of the instrument panels present all the information a pilot needs to operate the aircraft. The beauty of flying this aircraft would be the ease with which a pilot could 'read' the instrument panel.

A fear of flying is also about accessing information...the more a fearful flyer knows about flying, the more confidence is gained...and that helps to avoid negative thoughts and replace fiction and fear with facts.

To help you access information on this blog we limit the number of posts displayed to about 20 of thew 60 available.

Keith

Fear of flying. Video help

The fear of flying can be overcome. This video is one of forty three soon to be available on the website. They are designed to let you see and experience the things that cause you concern. And you can choose when to watch them...according to your feelings at the time. As the video runs there are captions that describe what is going on in a way that is useful to anyone with a fear of flying. There is nothing in them which will surprise or alarm you. These are the facts and truths about flying...if you don't have the facts your fear of flying and negativity will always control you.

Keith and the team

Fear of flying. It can be overcome!

After a great deal of anxiety and messages on the forum, Jane overcame her fear of flying and managed a trip to Egypt.

If you want to know how she did it go to the forum and look for Janeybee.

It wasn't easy for her but I think the pay off was well worth the effort, tears and courage.

Well done Jane from everyone at flying without fear.com

Fear of flying. Engine reliability.

One of the regular questions about a fear of flying that I'm asked is about the reliability of engines. Now that two engined aircraft are frequently used on intercontinental flights that's hardly surprising. But jet engines are very different from the old piston engines shown in this picture. Jet turbines are used in the production of electricity and they run for years without stopping. Because they are so simple there are fewer things to go wrong with them. If you have a fear of flying think of a jet engine like this...and it really is this simple...and therefore is very very reliable...A jet engine sucks in cold air at the front through the big hole heats it up in the middle and then forces it out of the smaller hole at the back. It's the same principle as an inflated balloon being released...though much more controlled!

Keith

Fear of Flying. Listen & Go.

Hi

Some years ago I met the actor Jasper Britton who came on a Simulator fear of flying course...a little later I met a lady who said that an Audio CD would be a great help to anyone who had a fear of flying...as long as I included the sounds of things that you can hear in a plane. The two meetings resulted in our Listen & Go...flying withoutFear CD set.

I wrote a script which Jasper very kindly offered to narrate. His reassuring voice and 'inside' knowledge of a fear of flying has resulted in a very 'listenable to' set of CD's that run for nearly four hours. We have two track of very relaxing music that British Airways used on their flight entertainment channels. You can hear extracts on the web site.

Having the ' sounds' of flying available when you are relaxed sitting in an armchair or while you're in your car is a perfect way of becoming acclimatised to them. One of the ways to overcome a fear of flying is by this graded exposure technique. They are very good value compared to many of the help products that are available to anxious flyers. Why not check out the extracts and testimonials now?

Keith and the team

The fear of flying.The pilot's job.

When I started flying in 1959 pilots were expected to be individuals and forthright leaders. Their decisions were expected to be followed without question and everything about them wsa based on the military stereotype. And that's why so many people with a fear of flying are pleased to discover that the 'Hollywood pilot' isn't anything like the real thing.


The training that I now do is with newly qualified pilots, or very experienced ones. The new ones have to learn effective flight deck behaviour through a subject we call human factors. They learn about team building and leadership, decision making, situational awareness, communication, human error and enough other stuff to fill three days. The experienced pilots I deal with are learning to become training pilots. We do seven days of learning and teaching theory including two days of simulator flying. After years and years of doing everything correctly it's great to become a student again and fly the simulator like a student pilot to test the skill and patience of new trainers.

Why this blog about what I do?

First I want you to be confident that though I'm retired I'm still in touch with operational pilots and secondly that although pilot training is intensive and requires high levels of skill... they are skills that anyone of average intelligence can aquire. So if your fear of flying involves worrying about what the pilots are doing and whether they can 'manage' it's time to accept that they can. Forget the Hollywood nonsense. Pilots are ordinary people.
Check out the pilots on our video page.



Keith

Fear of flying. Travel Tip.

Don't make your fear of flying worse by ignoring it and just hoping that when the time comes to step on board you'll find the courage. Careful preparation of your mind and body will make it easier to resist the negative thoughts that control your actions.

If we were preparing for an interview or an examination it's unlikely that we'd stay up late or go to a party the night before...it's unlikely that we'd leave home late and just hope that we'd get there on time...it's unlikely that we'd choose the clothes to wear just before leaving...it's unlikely that we'd get fuel up the car on the way ... and so on. Preparation relaxes the mind and body will help you to deal with your fear of flying more effectively. Our in flight pocket guide will help you before, during and after your flight.



Keith and the team.

Fear of Flying. Help on our website.

There are many ways to overcome a fear of flying, but the single most important ingredient is knowledge.
We hope that you'll find our 'visual help' page an easy way to answer some of your questions about flying. On this page there are a number of photographs, when you click on any of the images, the page will change to a larger view of the picture with some interesting and useful information about the picture. Every picture and explanation is geared towards helping you to address your fear of flying. I hope you not only enjoy the information but that it helps you to develop confidence in yourself and flying in general.

http://flyingwithoutfear.com/oyfof/fearofflyingvisualhelp.aspx

Keith and the flying without fear team.

Fear of flying. The best help available.

In our aim to offer you the best help available on the web, we are about to publish another 20 video 'Fear of flying help' clips on the site. Videos can help anyone with a fear of flying to make the things they fear seem more normal. Watching a take off, for instance, viewed from the window seat, but in the security of your home means that the sights and sounds can become familiar and normal to your senses. Flying without Fear .com is the biggest help site in the world for fearful flyers and we hope that the new videos add more value to our site. We don't have the brand power that our airline competitors have so we rely on you to tell everyone you know about this website. Over 10,000,000 people in the UK have a fear of flying. Over 40,000,000 people in the USA have a fear of flying...if you start telling your friends now...

Fear of flying. Getting help.

If you have a fear of flying one of the hardest things about it is knowing where you can find help. Anyone with a fear of flying feels isolated and vulnerable and that is why our forum is probably the quickest and easiest way to start addressing your fear.Unlike a chat room the forum has sensible messages sensible inputs and sticks to the subject of knowledge, help and support.. all of which will help you to overcome your fear of flying.

This picture shows the people on our DVD just after take off and getting used to their new found freedom. Apprehensive, yes of course successful, yes of course. See a clip from the DVD here.

Keith and the team.

Fear of flying. Safety in winter.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere airlines will just be preparing for winter operations. Pilots, engineers and ground handling staff will start to undergo their annual refresher training on winter operations.

Before taking off an aircraft will be cleared of all snow and ice on the important parts of its exterior. Very detailed procedures have to be complied with to ensure aircraft are free of contamination. Sometimes de-icing is done by a crew using a spray gun on a hydraulic lift while at other airports aircraft have to taxi through a giant archway which sprays it with de-icing fluid. Each type of fluid, according to the weather at the time has a period while it is effective...if a plane doesn't tale off within this time it has to be de-iced again. Safety is the only consideration.

Keith and the team.

Fear of flying. Overcoming a fear of flying.

"I've just returned from a holiday in Corfu, which I nearly cancelled due to fear of flying. By chance, I stumbled on this website two days before my departure and was so grateful that I did. Almost instantly I was reassured. ...When I boarded my recent flight, with my 9 year old twins and my partner, I was calm and relaxed. I kept going over all the dialogue from the video clips and reassuring myself that all the 'bing-bong' noises and dips in the air conditioning system were perfectly normal. That irrational fear was replaced by a better understanding of flight. ..For the first time, I didn't need to grip the armrests - instead I sat back and relaxed (something I've never previously been able to do)I had a great holiday and did not dread stepping back on the plane to return home. My sincere thanks Keith, and your wonderful team. Your website has made such a difference. It has already been recommended to my sister and some of my nervous friends."

Well done Lisa

Keith and the team.

Fear of flying. Hints and tips.

If you have a fear of flying one of the best things you can do when you have taken your seat is to make yourself as comfortable as you can. Firstly tighten your seatbelt as much as you can...and then every few minutes tighten it again so that you move with the aircraft. This will make your flight more comfortable. This picture shows a typical overhead panel. If you adjust the air vent or turn on the light...nothing will happen to the aircraft. Set the air vent so that you are refreshed. Use the light so that you can read your inflight entertainment that you have brought with you. Both these controls are adjustable so you set them to what you need. Being familiar with them will mean that even if you're still anxious about flying you can at least make yourself as comfortable as possible.

Keith and the team.

Fear of Flying. Navigation

The first navigation exercises that new pilots undergo are prepared with a map, a pencil and a clock. They know which way the wind is blowing from the forecasts and allow for this when they point their aircraft towards the destination.

Like a boat adjusts for the tide a plane does the same with the wind.

By comparison a modern navigation system, based on the inertial platforms used on moon missions, give a position accuracy of a few meters after a journey of thousands of miles.

Aircraft store their routes in a data base and with one action the route from say Sydney to Denver will be shown on the flight management display. Turn on the autopilot engage the navigation computer and the plane does the rest.

So... sit back relax and let go of the arm rests. Everything has been taken care of. Leave your fear of flying behind and enjoy being in the care of professionals.

Keith and the team

Fear of flying. Defying the laws of gravity?

The fascination of aeroplanes is such that enthusiasts around the world will sit for hours watching planes come and go while listening in to the chatter between pilots and controllers on their radios.

At Manchester there's a pub ...or used to be , where revellers and enthusiasts could be as close as 50 metres from the planes waiting to take off. I often opened my DVD window to give them a wave... and was always repaid with a flurry of waving arms. To those enthusiasts and to me flying is normal, it's not a miracle or magic.

Aircraft fly, not despite gravity, but because of it and because of all the other laws of physics and mathematics.

And so hanging on to the arm rests during the flight doesn't actually help the plane to fly... even though to someone with a fear of flying it may seem to.

Keith and the team.

Fear of flying. Ground crew.

Even modern aircraft don't have screen washers like cars. They are of course less prone to picking up dirt than a car. However when they do need to be cleaned it's done like this...with special cleaner fluid.The pilots' screens are usually made of three independent layers of glass each reinforced to enormous strength. Even if two layers shattered the screen would be strong enough to do itsjob You will also see that on each side there are two small windows that are open. These are the direct vision windows. For people who are claustrophobic knowing that these windows can be opened in flight can be a source of great relief.

Keith and the team

Fear of Flying Air Traffic Control

Hi

Today's blog is about Air Traffic Control or ATC as it's known in the trade. ATC is a completely integrated system where the path of a flight is tracked and known to ATC from an aircraft's take off until its touchdown.

In the unlikely event of the radio system failing an aircraft will follow its allocated route all the way to its destination. The crew will transmit on its transponder, a code that says it is not in voice communication...although ATC will still offer instructions in case the failure is just from the aircraft's transmitter. The radar controllers will track the flight in the usual way and ensure that other aircraft are never in its way. Radio failure is a very very rare occurrence...and we mention it here only because many passengers who have a fear of flying worry about these things.

Keith and the team

Fear of Flying.

The world of aviation has always been at the leading edge of training and technology. Here we can see a young lady training for her Instrument and Multi- engine Ratings.
And now it's good to see that women are taking leading roles in training and development in all aspects of airline flying..
I have flown with many female co-pilots and their enthusiasm and committment shines through...
So if you hear that it's a lady captain and a lady co-pilot why should you feel any different from when it's a stereotypical man flying your plane ?

Keith and the team at Fearofflying.com

Fear of flying. Sights and Sounds Seminar

While we won't be able to offer you the service and comfort shown in the picture but on our new Seminar we're going to offer you one of the best experiences you can have if you have a fear of flying.One of the most effective therapies in overcoming a fear of flying is called graded exposure...getting used to the things that scare you. We have secured the use of an aircraft cabin which includes the cockpit and the first 10 rows of seats. It can't fly because it doesn't have wings...it won't move because it doesn't have engines...but it's a fantastic environment in which to learn how to deal with your fear of flying. The seminar will as its name suggests will be a sight and sound experience. We will take you through a flight from boarding to disembarkation without moving or leaving the ground in as realistic but friendly environment as it's possible to find.

Why will it work? Because you will be able to face your fear in a secure and friendly environment, you'll be able to share your feelings and experiences with people who have the same feelings you have, and there will be expert guidance to explain everything that's going on. We'll give you the sounds of start up taxiing taking off and everything all the way to a landing...we might even have to make a landing for 'technical reasons'. Our videos will show you whats going on around the plane on the ground and in the cockpit...you'll be able to listen in to Air Traffic Control instructions if you want to.

As you unlock your feelings of fear we'll be there to re-assure you and give you support. We'll help you to develop a lasting strategy to deal with your fear. This experience is the perfect first step in overcoming your fear, later you might want to come on our simulator flight or our course that includes a flight...or maybe this is the only step you'll need.

Keith, Turi and the team at Flying without Fear

Fear of flying. Turi a member of the Flying without Fear team

We are pleased to announce that Turi Vorland will shortly have her own blog in association with the flyingwithoutfear.com website.

Turi has been an active member of the forum for two years and has helped many people to overcome their fear of flying.

On her blog, Turi will help you with lots of hints and tips that will make your journey more enjoyable.

Turi is a Purser with British Airways at London Gatwick Airport and has been flying for seven years. Turi is an influential part of the Flying without Fear team.

Keith

Fear of Flying. Images.

For information

Many of the images on this blog and on the flyingwithoutfear.com website have been provided by Airteamimages.com

Keith

Fear of flying. Turbo props and small planes.

These lucky holiday makers are happy to watch this turbo prop aircraft landing... but for some fearful flyers the thought of travelling in a small plane or one with turbo propeller engines fills them with horror.

A turbo prop engine combines the advantages of a jet engine and a propeller driven aircraft. The jet engine for reliability and the propeller for efficiency at lower altitudes.

A small aircraft is not more prone to bumping around than a big one...although it often feels like it. Remember these facts when you fly in one and make your flight less anxious.

Keith

Fear of flying. The unsung contributors to flight safety.

When we think of flight safety we tend to think of pilots and Air Traffic Control. But as any visitor to the site will know there are thousands of people who actually make commercial flying so safe. From the designers, engineers who build the planes up to the pilot who gets the praise.

This guy in the truck here does more than drive around ...he checks the lights on the taxiways and runways, he looks for anything on the ground that shouldn't be there and quite often he's busy making sure that birds near the airport don't like being there! And when he's not doing that he'll have plenty of other things to check for us.

When you get anxious about flying, try to remember all the people who are there making it the safest form of transport available. THE UNSUNG CONTRIBUTORS TO FLIGHT SAFETY

Keith

The fear of flying. The facts.

There seem to be more and more advertisement on the web for 'life style' and other quick ways to overcome the fear of flying. Most suggest a new way of looking at our lives. If we do that not only can we overcome our fear of flying we can stop smoking become the boss, get new friends, gain confidence and even become rich and famous.
A 'one hat fits all' solution only works when your head is the right size.
There is no miracle cure or magic pill to overcome the fear of flying. It's true that some people do it more quickly than others but that's not comparing like with like.
Without doubt the lasting way to overcome a fear of flying is to;
1 Accept your fear
2 Find and face the facts about what you fear
3 Restructure your thoughts about your fear
4 Gradually expose yourself to your fear
5 Accept the responsibility for overcoming your fear
The facts are available here; http://flyingwithoutfear.com/oyfof/
Keith

Fear of Flying. Will the plane be too heavy?

So many people who have a fear of flying wonder if their plane might be too heavy to take off This is a perfectly normal thought, especially when you've stood in a long line of people waiting to check in and they all seem to have enormous bags.

The fact is that every bag is weighed, every person is given an average weight...and it is adjusted for Sumo wrestlers or Ballerinas when required ... and then the total weight of baggage, people, fuel, catering and cargo is added to the plane's weight for the take off weight...and this has to be less than the weight allowed for that plane on the runway it uses for the weather conditions at the time. That's what the traffic dispatcher checks. Then as long as the plane is balanced within its limits the Captain is given a loadsheet to confirm that everything's correct.

http://flyingwithoutfear.com/oyfof/

Keith

Fear of Flying. Bad weather?

This week there are several people going to Orlando who have posted messages to me about the weather. They are concerned that they may fly through what they see as 'bad weather' But here's a great picture showing how easy it is to see thunderstorm clouds and how much space there is between them to allow the pilots to pick a route clear of them. The pilot here is checking his weather radar to see the route ahead because it displays the weather for 120 miles beyond the aircraft.

Keith

The lighter side of a fear of flying.

I happened to hear this joke on the radio from an eccentric English comedian called Tommy Cooper.

"If you stand in a library and scream, everyone stares silently at you.

If you scream on an aeroplane everyone joins in.

Why are people so unfriendly in libraries?"

A very useful insight into group psychology.

Keith

Fear of flying. Information.

Recently on the forum someone asked "what was the cause of a sudden very short lived bit of turbulence?"
Here's the answer...this picture shows what happens to the air behind a plane...not unlike a wave behind a ship at sea. You can see that the air swirls around immediately behind the wing. If you happen to fly thru' this you'll feel a jolt.
And just in case you're worried...Air Traffic Control keep aircraft apart ...by miles to minimise the effect.

Another great bit of information from flyingwithoutfear.com

In flight Fear of flying guide.

Our in flight booklet is a great thing to take with you on a flight. It's pocket size and has loads of tips to help you before after and during your flight. Here's a peek inside;

The fear of flying is not a weakness...it's just the way you are. A fear of flying can be overcome.
Develop a strategy and have realisable objectives.
Remember that planes don't defy the laws of gravity.
Learn to use breathing and relaxation techniques.
Find thought stopping methods to prevent negative thoughts.
Planes don't plummet...they descend.
Arm your self with facts to dispel the myths of flying.
Take small steps to overcome your fear.
Remember that turbulence may be uncomfortable but that's not the same as dangerous.

Keith and the team at Flying without Fear

A fear of flying success story.

This isn't only a great picture...it's a great achievement to have been able to take it. Elizabeth who is one of our regular contributors on the forum had a really bad fear of flying combined with claustrophobia.

A simple piece of information about planes combined with her determination to fly resulted in a trip of a lifetime.

On our Fear of Flying forum Elizabeth helps countless people with her gentle advice and constant support

Join her here http://flyingwithoutfear.com/fofc/ourforum.aspx

Fear of Flying. Best book ever.

We're proud to announce that we're re-printing the book 'Flying without Fear' again.

It has been Amazon's best seller in the genre since publication in 2003.

It has helped thousands of people to overcome their fear of flying and whether it's a first step towards overcoming a fear of flying or a useful travel companion it is now recognised as being the best book available.

Several airlines use it on their fear of flying courses.

As mentioned previously on this blog from next year it will be available with two other volumes dealing with the psychology of fear and motivational techniques.

It can be bought from our on line shop at;

http://flyingwithoutfear.com/onlinestore/

Causes of a Fear of flying.

Hi
This weekend I flew over to Guernsey to see my grandchildren and got another insight into why airlines, airport and delays cause so much concern.
First of all we rushed by taxi to the airport only to find the flight had been cancelled for no particular reason...just 'technical' We had to wait four hours until the next flight.
Later the pilot could easily have said " ...what we mean by technical delay is not like you think...the plane doesn't have a problem...technical delay is airline speak for not enough staff or aircraft...so please relax the plane is fine and we'll be on our way in a couple of minutes."
Now if I can get very slightly upset and anxious about a four hour delay and I've spent a whole career in flying, what on earth is it like for you?
The fear of flying really ought to be taken more seriously by airlines don't you think?

Check out the video on this page, about 'technical delays'

http://flyingwithoutfear.com/oyfof/fearofflyingvideos.aspx

Keith

Fear of flying "Join our Forum"

From a recent success story.

"I have to be honest, I have never held with 'Forums' as such and, when I initially found this site and saw 'Join our Forum' my immediate reactions was 'oh here we go, a load of people with nothing better to do' then I started reading and reading and reading and couldn't stop.
I was sooooooo grateful to have someone/anyone to talk to about how I felt and I was met with understanding, kindness and sympathy....no-one judged or riduculed me.
I can honestly say with hand on heart that joining this forum is one of the best things I have ever done."

We 're not a big brand, we don't make claims about being able to 'cure' your fear of flying, we don't ridicule our competitors...and when we get fed up with big companies copying our ideas...a story like this makes it all worthwhile.

Keith and the team

http://flyingwithoutfear.com/fofc/

Fear of flying...unlikely reasons

It's not easy to imagine that happy life events can be a cause of the fear of flying. Quite often people write to the forum saying "I was OK until..." and then there's a story of falling in love, getting married , having a family or even a new job. We expect that because we're very happy in one part of our lives then that should flow over into everything else.

Frequently the opposite is true because, without realising it we suddenly think that life is more precious...and so we become very aware of the things that could take that happiness away from us.

It's a very normal human reaction

Keith and the flying without fear team.

Fear of flying. Tips and help from flyingwithoutfear.com

Hi
Here are some tips to help you to overcome your fear of flying.

1: Remember that your fear is not a weakness..it's just the way you are.

2: Your fear can be overcome.

3: Be patient will small steps.

4: Remember to congratulate yourself at every bit of progress.

5: Knowledge is power and flyingwithoutfear.com is the biggest source of free help in the world.
Why not look at our free videos at ;

http://flyingwithoutfear.com/oyfof/fearofflyingvideos.aspx

Best wishes

Keith

The fear of flying. A new publication

Hi

In conjunction with an Australian psychologist I am in the process of preparing a new book on the fear of flying. We are following the style of my book Flying without Fear in making it a predominantly question and answer format.

The reason is that Flying without Fear has been the Amazon's best seller in the genre for several years now and the style is obviously useful to its readers.
The hard part for us is in finding the right questions...which is maybe where you can help us. So if you have time and would like to help us would you please send your questions to me...and the simpler and more ordinary they are then the better they will be for us...and the book's readers.
Thank you

Keith

Third World Conference On Fear Of Flying

Recommendations of the Third World Conference On Fear Of Flying
Whereas one or the other form of Fear of Flying affects up to 30 percent of the passengers on commercial airlines,

Whereas severe manifestations of Fear of Flying and inappropriate reactions to it could negatively affect the orderly conduct of air traffic operations in the air and on the ground,

Whereas insufficient information and training of flight and cabin crew members in the handling of fearful flyers could negatively impact the safety and economic viability of commercial air operations,

Whereas the accelerated commercial deregulation of international air traffic should be supported by encouraging the different suppliers in the travel chain, on the ground and in the air, to take some form of social responsibility for their customers who are exposed to Fear of Flying

The Third World Conference on Fear of Flying recommends that:

Civil Aviation Administrations should ensure that through regular surveys using standardised and comparable questionnaires, the prevalence of fear of flying is recorded;

The Civil Aviation Administrations of Member States encourages airlines and airports to support fear of flying treatment facilities.

Civil Aviation Administrations should encourage the suppliers in the travel chain, on the ground and in the air, to ensure that appropriate reactions to manifestations of Fear of Flying of airline passengers are granted. In so doing, advice from qualified Mental Health Professionals should be secured;

Civil Aviation Administrations should ensure that the initial and recurrent training of flight and cabin crew members include the subject of Fear of Flying. If flight or cabin crew members themselves are affected by forms of Fear of Flying, the operator shall be responsible for ensuring that such operational staff is given immediate counsel by qualified Mental Health Professionals.

Civil Aviation Administrations should encourage different suppliers in the travel chain on the ground and in the air, to take a social responsibility vis a vis their customers by taking special care of their customers who are exposed to some form of Fear of Flying. This is even more important if such suppliers are not subject to competition or face just a limited form of competition.

Fear of flying Simulator experience

Hi

I was just surfing the net and I noticed that a company offering simulator courses to deal with a fear of flying is showing pictures of me. I doubt that I can get them to remove them but they obviously feel that a picture of me suggests that I am involved with their course. I am in no way involved with that company though I did write and develop the course that they use.

It does however prompt me to mention three pieces of information that I hope will be valuable to people with a fear of flying.

First, as reported on the forum I am involved with a Simulator company and we are developing a brand new fear of flying course. The advantage of this will be a less expensive course and a more appropriate use of simulator time. We aim to have about 10 people on each course. The course will last one day.

Secondly, as also mentioned on the forum we are preparing to run Seminars in an aircraft cabin where we can take advantage of the environment and use all our presentational resources to great advantage.

And thirdly we are in talks with The VALK foundation in Holland to present, jointly, a two day fear of flying course. We know that this course, though more expensive than the airline courses available here in the UK, will be much better value, involving proper clinical assessments for the types of fears that people have and individual attention that is not possible in large groups. This course will involve a flight during the two days.

This means that the flyingwithoutfear.com group will be the most progressive and biggest resource available to the large group of the population that suffer from a fear of flying.

By the end of this year we shall be the only resource that offers everything from free help to the most highly developed and respected courses available anywhere in the world.

Captain Keith

Fear of flying...good preparation.

Hi this week, as usual, I had a few messages about what is the best way to overcome a fear of flying. I always suggest that preparation is the key. Like resting well, learning deep breathing techniques and that sort of thin. It's true to say that it's not the answer that people really want, because they see overcoming a fear of flying as actually getting on a plane. To them, that's the only thing that counts. Everything else is incidental, after all how can sleeping well and eating light watery foods really help a fear of flying, surely, the argument goes, the real test is getting on that plane! But to me it's important to do all the things that help you take that step; so that the stepping on the plane is a logical thing to do in the whole strategy, it isn't an isolated thing.

This week I was lucky enough to get into Wimbledon and to see the women's champion playing.

Before she receives the service from the other player she crouches and does all the things that players do but during this ritual she taps her racket on the ground in front of her left foot.

This is her preparation without the balance and preparation she gets from this routine she would be a different player. One strange little touch on the ground prepares her for a devastating performance. Take that away from her routine and she'd no doubt feel unprepared and be a different player.

I'm not suggesting that you develop a ritual, but we know that some things are good to do before an activity. And to deal with a fear of flying ... it's sleep, breathing, thought stopping strategies, knowledge, support and confidence that will make that 'step' much easier to take.

Keith

Fear of flying web pages.

Modern technology;

You may have noticed on this blog that we have leads and feeds to many blogs and home pages that are provided by web companies.We have now incorporated these at the foot of every page on the website at flyingwithoutfear.com so that you can have this blog or the website available on your personal browser home page.

Keith

Hi again

This week has been very busy with many people contacting me needing help urgently because of flights coming up very soon.Naturally this puts enormous pressure on anyone with a fear of flying. So if you are anxious about flying please don't leave things until the last possible moment to seek help. You may feel that it gives you more time to worry...which may be true...but more importantly it gives you more time to find a strategy to deal with your worries. Right now there are a couple of people on the forum fighting off their demons and though it isn't easy for them they at least have the chance to support each other during the run up to their flights.

So if you're an anxious flyer...act now. We're here to help.

Keith

Fear of flying course venue.

Hi Everyone.

This week I've been cleaning and preparing the cabin and flight deck of the plane I shall be using for my fear of flying courses.

While I was busily cleaning the instruments and controls in the cockpit it suddenly struck me how advanced the safety features on a modern aircraft are.

The countless instruments in the old generation aircraft have now been replaced by half a dozen computer screens with all the information needed to both fly, manage and navigate the aircraft. As I cleaned the grime from one of the control panels I noticed at least eight switches and their indicators that now are fully integrated into the aircraft systems....all now controlled automatically. The pressurisation system that once would have caused your ears to feel funny and that would have needed the pilot to adjust and monitor through out the flight is now fully automatic.

The dials gauges and switches that were once scattered all around the cockpit are now all presented and operated from just a few buttons all within reach of the pilots.

And this aircraft was twenty years ahead of the first airliner I ever flew.

What's the point of this blog? Just a sudden realisation of how far technology has brought us and how much safer aircraft are from the previous generation.

Amazing what thoughts come from using modern kitchen cleaners and a few rags while having fun cleaning an old aeroplane.

I hope to see you on one of the fear of flying courses soon.

Keith

Flyingwithoutfear.com website

Hi

We added a new feature to the website today. If you go to the home page up in the top right panel you will see a search box, powered by Google.

Like any other search engine just type in a word and it will find every reference to that word that is listed on the site. Try turbulence! Or fear of flying.

Keith

New Fear of Flying Courses

Here's a picture taken during the seminar when we made the DVD. This week it has been bought by an Indonesian company who are going to distribute it in their region.

But there have been more developments this week. Firstly the fear of flying information seminar will be held in the BAC 1-11 aircraft cabin located on the Alton Basingstoke road and we are preparing it and painting it ready to go into service.

Equipped with sound and video it will provide an amazing experience for people with a fear of flying.

Secondly today I have been approached by a company who want to market and provide our fear of flying course in a flight simulator. It will take a few weeks to organise but it will be a brand new course based on the course I developed for another company. It will probably be a six hour course with an hour or so in a 747 Jumbo simulator. We will market the course jointly but it will be a flying without fear. com product.

This means that we shall be the only company in the UK , offering everything from an inflight guide book to a seminar with a flight included. I hope you'll help us to spread the word so we can continue to help people around the world enjoy flying.

Keith

Hi Everyone

What a few days this has been with so many successful flyers telling their stories on the forum. Flyingwithoutfear.com is growing very rapidly and it takes most of my time keeping up with all the messages and emails that I get.
So if I'm slow replying please forgive me.

Plans are goung well for the new fear of flying seminars that I'm starting. After being at the conference I realise that there are many levels of help needed and with the association with Valk in Amsterdam they will take care of the seminars with flights included, but I shall be in attendance as the pilot 'expert'.

The new seminar style that I will run will be information and guidance based and though they will be suitable for most people there will not be psychologists' inputs.

We will soon be in a position to recommend therapists here in the UK, in Seattle and in Australia. Our new book which is due for publication next year explains the psychology of fear and the various causes of a fear of flying. It will give advice and guidance.

I am also hoping to make available on line a course by one of the leading fear of flying therapists in the USA.
All in all flyingwithoutfear.com is set to be the biggest help site for fear of flying on the web.

We hope to become a worldwide resource for anyone looking for help to overcome their fear of flying. Please help us to spread the word.

Captain Keith

Thoughts on the Conference

Hi everyone,

Now that I've been back for a few days I can reflect more clearly on the World Fear of Flying Conference.

The value of meeting other therapists and helpers certainly puts the matter of help into a new dimension. It seems the greatest hurdle to helping is the general reluctance of evryone to acknowledge the extent of the fear of flying. The suggested proposal to ICAO will go some way towards getting airlines and airports to help fearful passengers.

As a group there was a committment to develop a network of help and co-operation between therapists, doctors, pilots and others who help with the fear of flying. For those present there was an agreement to help each other rather than to be isolationist in what help is given. This should improve the quality of help with regard to cross discilpline help.

It is highly likely that there will be another conference in 2009 or 2010 when I hope there will be more people in attendance who are suffering from or have recovered from a fear of flying.

So I hope some of you will think about attending and making your experiences known.

Keith

Final Day World Fear of Flying Conference.

On the last day of the conference a resolution was prepared for consideration by ICAO including things like bringing to the attention of airlines and other aviation communities, the need to be aware of the needs of fearful flyers. Naturally I'll post the proper text when it's available.

There were more interesting discussions yesterday whose contents are too complex to describe here...in addition I have to go away and have a long think myself to try and understand them.

I am looking forward to my flight home this evening. See you on the forum as soos as I can.

Keith

fear of flying

Day two at the World Conference

I met a whole bunch of great guys today. I've fixed a link with Glenda down in Australia to look after Phoebe when she gets down there.

Two ladies from Portugal are going to translate my book. A guy called Les Posen is giving me a few ideas about helping fearful travellers.

I'm going to team up with the Valk foundation to provide seminars either in the UK or in Holland...we could all go over on the boat and fly back. More news of all these developments when I get back.

I was talking to a reporter from the Ottowa Citizen newspaper about the fear of flying for an article and it turned out that she has a fear of flying so when Janice joins us on the forum let's give her a warm welcome.

Everyone here represent people who actually want to help people to deal with their fear of flying. There are definately some good facilities/providers who couldn't make it here but it's good to see all these premier providers making the effort to structure and facilitate help for nervous flyers.

So I'm going to back all the guys here with advertisements on our fear of flying help site and steer the many people around the world who contact us for help to them in the future. Its a great way of connecting people!

Icao (an international UN aviation body) are giving their full backing to the conference so maybe the airlines who currently ignore anxious passengers will take notice at last of all the people who have a fear of flying. I think they could increase their revenues by taking all those people on board, literally and metaphorically.

Any one with a fear of flying will eventually benefit from what's happening here in Montreal which is great news indeed.


Keith

World Fear of Flying Conference

Hi Everyone just to let you know how the conference is going.

Lot of knowledgable people here when it comes to fear of flying. There's a view that the airlines don't really do enough for anxious passengers. That message is going to be passed on to ICAO as part of a policy proposal. Certainly the impression I'm getting is that something needs to be done.

I'm asking questions of all the leading players here so I hope the quality of my advice will improve. Arounf the world there seems to be mixed opinions as to what is the best treatment.
Personally I think out Forum takes a lot of beating.

I will most certainly start the Seminars as a regular feature of flying without fear.com

You'll be pleased to know that I'm the only UK pilot represented here. I wonder if the big boys know there's a conference?

Keith

Flight from Heathrow to Montreal

For anyone who is normally anxious about turbulence...you should have been on the transatlantic crossing with me yesterday.

Absolutely perfect all the way. Not a ripple. I hope that gives encouragement to anyone who thinks that there's turbulence everytime a plane gets airborne.

I'll let you know what's going on at the conference each day.

Keith

Announcing the arrival of fearofflyingprofessionals

With the forthcoming world fear of flying conference starting next week flying without fear.com is pleased to announce that in conjunction with one of our customers we have developed a site exclusively for professional providers of help to anyone with a fear of flying.

Fearofflyingprofessionals.com

Outstanding safety record endorsed.

We get all sorts of people taking an interest in our DVD so it was very nice to receive this note out of the blue.

This book and DVD explain the safety features and emergency procedures of modern passenger aircraft while answering many frequently asked questions. They also put into context the outstanding safety record of today's aviation. By so doing, this book and the accompanying DVD may well help some people to overcome their fear of flying"

Stanley Abrahams (Chief Statistician, Civil Aviation Authority, 1990 - 1999)

Getting around the web site

A few months ago when we launched this new site we planned on some features that would make it helpful to visitors. We had no idea that it would blossom in the way that it has. We are getting thousands of visitors and some super comments about the site.
Each day we get closer to developing the site in a way that we think will help people who have a fear of flying to find a way of dealing with it. So far we're the only web site that has video audios podcasts information about fear, weather strategies and loads more but we notice from our statistics that visitors seem to stop searching the site as soon as they've found the things they need to know.

There is an amazing amount of help on the site and I wonder if visitors are reluctant to look everywhere just in case they think they might find something they didn't want to see.

Let me assure you that every single bit of information on the site is user friendly there is nothing that will upset you or make things worse...so please explore and build your confidence.
The podcasts and free audios are like the rest of the site ... designed to help you find your way of dealing with your anxieties. So please tune in to them.

I hope that our open style will encourage other web sites to offer more free help and advice rather than just providing help in return for money... and sometimes a lot of it.
There's no better preparation before you take an airline course than to remove any myths and misunderstandings about flying and to replace them with facts.

We call it a clean slate policy...it's the only way to move forward.

So please let everyone you meet know about us.

Keith and the team

Aviation technology

While I was waiting for my Pilot trainees to arrive today, I had time to read an article in Flight International.

It was about a technology that was being developed to detect the turbulence generated by other aircraft. I never cease to be amazed at how technology makes aviation safer by the day by designing features on aircraft that could only have been dreams a few years ago.

Keith

Well done Jane.

Here is a successful anxious flyer smiling after arriving in Jersey.

Jane joined the forum quite recently and after loads of encouragement and support she overcame her fear and took to the air.

The first of many flights we hope.

Well done Jane

A nice surprise for us at Flying without Fear

Denis Bergcamp kindly sent this photograph after receiving our CD set and Book.

It's well known that his anxiety about flying meant that there were many matches that he missed or had to travel by land. We hope that the information he got from us has helped him.

If you know of any celebrities with a fear let us know.

Our Best Selling Help Book

It has become an Amazon bestseller, with excellent customer reviews and has an average customer rating of 5 out of 5 !

It's based on the hundreds of questions and mulitiple interviews with nervous flyers - so it answers those questions that matter

It emphasizes the normality of flying, debunks many popular myths and swaps them for facts, yet remains humorous, easy to read and compelling.
The answers to the questions are relevant, simple to understand and completely honest

It provides unique insight and reassurance by avoiding 'technobabble'

It is highly recommended by the people who have used it as help to go flying

It has none of the technical slant that so many pilot written books often have, instead the explanations are simple but thorough, understandable and never condescending.

How Flying without Fear.com came about

We have had many many people ask us abopu why and how www.flyingwithoutfear.com came to be...here is our story told by Captain Keith..

Our first site Scaredofflying.com, started life with a telephone call, when a friend needed some reassurance about flying before going on holiday. The call lasted two hours, during which time several other people joined in to ask their own questions.

Following this call I received a lengthy e-mail with more questions to help the individual understand and ultimately overcome their fear of flying. This experience led me to the idea of the book 'Flying without Fear' which has been Amazon's best seller in the genre for over three years, and looks likely to stay there.
Since then we have developed several products to help you and other anxious flyers to overcome your fear of flying. And now we have developed www.flyingwithoutfear.com to help you overcome your fear of flying.
If you have a fear of flying our Fear of flying help Books, cd's and more will help you overcome your fear of flying, includes fear of flying podcasts, information about weather, turbulence and many other areas to help you overcome your fear of flying.
Everything is available through the online shop where you can buy our book, CD set, DVD, short in flight guide, e-book and several audio downloads. Coupled with our online community, podcasts, videos, information and insight we know you will find help here.
Our aim is to provide effective and lasting strategies to anyone who has a fear of flying . Lasting solutions come from knowledge, confidence, and changes in behaviour, something we can help you achieve.

Remember, the fear of flying is a very common fear which affects over 40 % of the population. However, it is also a fear that any sufferer can learn to overcome.
No one form of help is better than another, the help that works for you is the one you should use. We will help you find it.
Keith Godfrey and all at Flyingwithoutfear.com

About flyingwithoutfear.com

Our first site Scaredofflying.com, started life with a telephone call, when a friend needed some reassurance about flying before going on holiday. The call lasted two hours, during which time several other people joined in to ask their own questions.

Following this call I received a lengthy e-mail with more questions to help the individual understand and ultimately overcome their fear of flying. This experience led me to the idea of the book 'Flying without Fear' which has been Amazon's best seller in the genre for over three years, and looks likely to stay there.

Since then we have developed several products to help you and other anxious flyers to overcome your fear of flying. And now we have developed www.flyingwithoutfear.com to help you overcome your fear of flying.

If you have a fear of flying our Fear of flying help Books, cd's and more will help you overcome your fear of flying, includes fear of flying podcasts, information about weather, turbulence and many other areas to help you overcome your fear of flying.
Everything is available through the online shop where you can buy our book, CD set, DVD, short in flight guide, e-book and several audio downloads. Coupled with our online community, podcasts, videos, information and insight we know you will find help here.
Our aim is to provide effective and lasting strategies to anyone who has a fear of flying . Lasting solutions come from knowledge, confidence, and changes in behaviour, something we can help you achieve.

Remember, the fear of flying is a very common fear which affects over 40 % of the population. However, it is also a fear that any sufferer can learn to overcome.
No one form of help is better than another, the help that works for you is the one you should use. We will help you find it.
Keith Godfrey and all at Flyingwithoutfear.com

Key Note Speech at the World Fear of Flying Conference

The following is an extract of the transcript from Captain Keith Godfrey's Key note Speach to be given on day 3 of the World Fear of Flying Conference hosted by ICAO in Montreal, Canada.

THE USE OF PILOT TRAINING SKILLS IN THE SUPPORT OF ANXIOUS PASSENGERS - CAPTAIN K.E.GODFREY

Good afternoon and may I thank the organisers for this opportunity to speak at the conference. Because I’m a pilot I’m naturally enthusiastic about all pilots being involved in helping passengers who are anxious about flying. I am sure that their modern training skills can be applied very effectively for this reason.

There is I believe a direct comparison between Cognitive behavioural therapy and modern airline pilot training methods and, though I have no clinical training, from the reading that I have done, in particular from the Psychological Perspectives on Fear of Flying the two processes seem, and I stress the word seem, to have considerable common ground. My expertise is as a pilot I have 43 years of flying training from beginners to the training pilots to become trainers and examiners, applying the skills that I am about to describe.

This presentation will try to show that modern airline training methods provide many pilots with the skills needed to deal effectively with passengers who are anxious about flying. Few airlines that I know of prepare their pilots in this important area of customer care. Training seems to be limited to their cabin crew who have just a passing knowledge of to how to deal with the symptoms of fear exhibited by passengers during boarding or in flight.

I am certain that an airline known to have an interest in the welfare of these particular passengers will enjoy a commercial advantage over their competitors, but, for some reason, perhaps denial or ignorance of how to deal with the problem no airline to my knowledge, positively advertises this aspect of its customer experience. The most they seem to offer is a company associated course. Perhaps this is changing but if there is evidence of it, it is hardly overwhelming. And how extraordinary this is when every airline has staff well trained to deal with the problems that arise with anxious passengers. The staff I’m referring to are of course the pilots.

Read full transcript here >

Listen to the Podcast of this keynote speech >

Flying without Fear is invited to the World Fear of Flying Conference

Following our highly successful research programme that forms the basis of our new Flying without Fear DVD, one of our team have been invited to speak at the world fear of flying conference hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (http://www.icao.int/).

This conference is the 3rd Conference on Fear of Flying is organized jointly by the VALK Foundation, DePlour Research and Training Centre, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It will bring together all of the key players involved in fear of flying and its implications for air transport worldwide. The Conference will take place at the ICAO Headquarters on 4 – 6 June 2007.

We will be posting our Key Note Speach on this blog shortly.

Flying without Fear Blog

The Team at Flying without Fear have recently started this blog to provide useful and insightful articles, comment and news about Fear of flying help.

We operate two websites, one for members of the public who suffer from a fear of flying with help videas, forums, and hundreds of pages of content, and another for those professionals who are helping provide research and cures to the fear of flying.

We welcome commnts, feedback and contributions from all who want to help people go flying without fear.