Here are some success stories from happy flyers we have helped in the past.
“Captain Keith, I am writing to express by deepest thanks to you, Captain Keith as you aware I am from Island of Malta and during a flight home I had an horrendous experience in the air, resulting in my phobia of flights, Because of my phobia I only managed to visit home by driving a long difficult journey.
But I had no alternative, I would not fly. Fortunately, after some research, my wife found your website and booked me a course with you, I thank you for your patience, skill professional and care,
As a result of this very positive experience, I now can travel with total confidence, In fact I have flown to Thailand Barbados Singapore, all long haul and normas flights to continent in Europe
This would have been totally impossible before the course,and has totally changed my life, I would thoroughly recommend that any body else out there who has a similar phobia take up the offer of your course, well worth every penny for a life changing experience, I cannot express enough how grateful we are as a family we can now live our lives to the full.
Thanks to you Regard Joe”
The website, and the book in particular, were very helpful. I only read the first half as I bought it too close to my flight but already it has covered every possible fear I have ever had, and some I hadn’t, with sensible facts that made my irrational fear seem ridiculous. So the last flight I went on, I took no pills and set the goal to “not cry on the plane”, as the author advises to set small goals to get over your fear. I did better than this.
Even though I knew a lot of these things before, reading this book made it all seem more real and I understood the science behind it more. It was nice to learn about all of the training and testing pilots go through. And all the failsafes and checks that are built in to planning a route, preparing the plane and flying. It’s nice to know how far within the limits of a plane we fly. Even having to fly back after seeing the news of the missing Malaysia flight, combined with a bit of turbulence and a bumpy landing, was OK. I could just repeat some of the things from this book as a mantra and be OK.
In conclusion, I would strongly recommend any nervous flyers read this book. I was still nervous, but nothing compared to how I usually am and I know that next time will be even better. This book gave me an in depth understanding of everything that ever scared me, and went way beyond what I imagined with regards to all the safety precautions. For every “but what if” you have, this book has an answer. I would also recommend booking a window seat as seeing outside really helped me to KNOW that the plane wasn’t falling out of the sky every time we slowed down a little.
Suddenly, and it seemed to come from nowhere, I was afraid of flying … and I mean REALLY afraid of flying!
Two weeks before I was due to fly I would have nightmares every night, all of which were centred around a plane crash. This would (obviously) only add to my anxieties as they would be at the forefront of my mind in the build up to the day of the flight. The turning point for me was when I had to go on a business trip to Germany. The Flight was only 50 minutes long but I was in a real state. My Boss and my Husband were with me (as we work together) but nobody was allowed to talk to me. I was quiet and on the verge of tears right up until boarding. On the flight I was even worse. I was crying, shaking, my palms were sweaty, people were queuing for the toilet right next to the door and I was really panicking that they would lean on the door and it would open and blah blah blah. It sounds so ridiculous but, if you have a fear of flying you will understand my distress!
The return flight?… exactly the same!
I got home and decided that enough was enough. My fear was getting out of control. It was upsetting for my Husband because, when we were going on Holidays together I would never be excited – in fact I would be dreading it – as I didn’t want to fly as I was certain the plane would crash, or we would be hijacked, or there would be a bomb on board etc…
I thought about paying for expensive hypnotism to see if that would help me but I also wanted to try and help myself first. This is when I found this book…my saviour!
I read the book as soon as it arrived and loved it, it was so interesting and also answered the questions I had always wanted to ask. Then, when I had a flight coming up, I read a few chapters of the book every night for 2 weeks before the flight. I also took the book in my hand-luggage so it was there to refer back to if I felt panicky during the flight.
I had the BEST flights I have ever had. I was actually looking forwad to getting to the Airport and getting on the plane. I was chatting with my husband and having a laugh (which I would NEVER normally have done)and just generally felt relaxed in the airport waiting to board and on the flight itself. My Husbands hand was usually white at the end of the flight from where I had been squeezing it so hard!
This book is AMAZING and a MUST HAVE for any nervous flyer!!
I take it on every flight with me to refer to if I need some reassurance and it really does work. I feel so much more confident when flying now and it’s ALL thanks to this book!!!!
Having a fear of flying is awful and I really do sympathise with anybody who has it.
I was one of those people – but after reading this book I have had several relaxed, ENJOYABLE flights…and it’s all thanks to one man. Captain Keith Godfrey. My Hero.
Reflecting on the day, the most important thing I came away with was I now have the ability (I almost typed ‘I hope!’)**** to trust the pilots in charge of the aeroplane. I have attended a commercial course before, and yes I trusted the pilot on the day, but I had to fly with other airlines, and other pilots on other occasions.
Being in a small group of only 4 people with a real life pilot! For 7 hours showing and explaining to us all about the flight, what happens in the cockpit, as well as answering our more obscure and ‘what if’ questions with endless patience was absolutely invaluable.
Just having all of that would have been money well spent, but to have all the resources given to us at the end of the day foc was excellent.
(Anyone attending the course is given all out products free of charge. All 3 volumes Flying without Fear, DVD, CDSet, 2 Audio Courses, Workshop Book, In Flight Guide and DVD with all course Videos)
We went out to lunch with my sister today (who is a fearful flyer) and I have told her all about your course.
I am determined to take my booked flight next Saturday with XXX, and also my package holiday in January. Flying with a very low cost airline might take some more work and visits however!! Thanks once again.
**** We discourage words like hope and wish. ..it’s better to be realistic, rather than ‘hoping’ there’s won’t be turbulence say “what will I do if there is turbulence? ” and develop a strategy for dealing with it.
SG
Since I attended the ground course with you on 20th August, I have been practising relaxation techniques and reading all the literature you provided. I also experienced at least 50 “take offs” with your DVD all of which helped greatly on my first flight since then. Last week we went to Spain for a week and the night before the departure flight my anxiety rose but I managed to keep it in check.
Previously I had fought this anxiety but remembering what you had said, I accepted it and dealt with it quite successfully. After we had reached cruising height and I was plugged into my iPod, the rest of the flight was a complete doddle! I don’t think I thought about the return flight at all during our holiday, until the night before departure. The relaxing and breathing techniques helped me to sleep a little. Once I was up and preparing to leave for the airport, all those fears were gone and the flight home was completely worry free.
I expect this email is one of hundreds you receive in thanking you very much for the help and guidance you have given to manage and maybe overcome a fear of flying. I am hoping to go flying again in the not too distant future with my confidence greatly improved.
With many many thanks to you and Viv for all your assistance and understanding.
Best wishes J R
Bingo!! Just thought I’d let you know I flew to Montreal and back with no problem at all!
Take off & climb were no problem and you were right- the pilot did it all without my help gripping the armrests. The noises didn’t bother me at all & I didn’t even worry about being over water!
Even when the pilot on the return flight said we would get a couple of bouts of turbulence, I told myself it was uncomfortable not dangerous, tightened my seatbelt & resolutely carried on with my crossword!
I can’t thank you & Vivienne enough- I even enjoyed it and am already thinking about my next trip!
Thank you so much, Kind regards
Just a quick word to say a big thank you for your “Flying without fear” 4 CD pack, I received them on Tuesday last and I have been working through them since, they are excellent and I hope to book a day return flight to the U.K. with a friend in the next few weeks or so.
I just so happened to be in in the vicinity of a very wet and windy Dublin Airport this afternoon, close to a very popular lay-by where there are fantastic views at very close range of planes landing and taking off every few minutes, mainly Aer lingus and Ryanair 737s. As we approached this un-official “lay-by” there was a back log of traffic and we could see a couple of police cars with their blue lights flashing up ahead of us and we realised we had come upon the scene of an unfortunate minor car accident.
As we passed by, I observed that there was not one, not two but three cars involved that had piled into the back of each other (it would appear quite gently I might add from the very slight damage done to the cars, as far as I could make out anyhow). The only logical cause of this accident you might ask? You guessed it, all three drivers were most probably / possibly straining to look up at the amazing spectacle of the planes landing and taking off almost over their heads….! The runway at Dublin Airport runs in parallel very, very close to this road and if you were not familiar with it, one might be ever so slightly alarmed to see a huge plane approaching as you glance in your rear view mirror….It just goes to prove, flying is the safest mode of travel and keep your eyes on the road when your driving in your car without the aid of auto-pilot and navigating instruments, especially in miserable and very damp drizzle!Later on, we returned to the lay-by and spent an hour or so watching the taxiing, take-offs and landings of many aircraft in the rain. I got to hear the huge roar and whine of the engines’ thrust and witnessed the speed of the planes as they sped off down the runway and took off at first hand, in very wet conditions but it was fantastic. We also took a quick drive through the new and as yet un-opened Terminal 2 “set-down” area at Dublin Airport and as far as I can make out, the new building appears to be designed in the shape of a huge wing. The airport authorities were running trial testing there with invited members of the public to act as passengers to test out all the new computer systems etc. a few weeks ago and it is due to open in November.
I’m now actually looking forward to facing my fear soon armed with all my new information from your very informative and entertaining e-book and Cds and the fantastic experience I gained from viewing the planes at close quarters today. I’m much more positive about the prospect of flying again in the near future.
I shall let you know how I get on .
I have recommended your course to everyone I can! I am so amazed and excited by the change in my attitude towards flying. Thanks to one day spent with you, on the course, I can truthfully say that I am no longer afraid of flying! So after years of terror-filled flying and having to take 4 valium tablets to even get myself onto a plane, when I flew to Italy last week I found myself actually relaxing and even enjoying the landing!!! Wow! My husband was amazed and impressed – as was I!! I really can’t thank you – and your course – enough! It’s such a relief to feel free of the burden of my fear of flying :) You may remember that I attended your course with my daughter A. She is quite serious about wanting to learn to fly, and is now saving up for flying lessons at Lasham! So, I can confirm what I suspected by the end of the day with you: my fear of flying really has reduced from terror (9/10) to being slightly anxious during actual take off, but calm and rational apart from that (2/10)!!!! Thank you. Kind regards Helen
When it comes to flying, former aviophobic Hazel Gilbertson has her feet firmly on the ground. I took my first flight more than a decade ago. I remember how excited I was as the plane taxied towards the runway. As it paused for the final okay from air-traffic control, my excitement grew. Then, suddenly, the engines roared into life, the plane started shaking, and even before we’d started moving, my fingers were wound tightly round the arm-rests and inwardly I was screaming desperately for someone to let me off. I was terrified. Things went downhill rapidly from there. By the time I got off the plane at the other end, I was a quivering mass of nerves. It ruined my holiday as I spent the two weeks worrying about the return flight. Once home, I swore I would never get on a plane again – a promise I have broken only in extreme circumstances. My team for the day consisted of Captain Keith Godfrey, a retired British Airways captain and training pilot; co-pilot Mike Elms, a first officer commercial pilot; I was surprised by how bad I felt that morning. I knew I would be in a simulator. I knew I wouldn’t be leaving the ground. But I was suffering from nausea and trepidation, as if I was about to get on a real flight. I would have given anything to get up and walk out. “Okay, then, Hazel,” Keith began, “let’s start on a few basic points. What are your main concerns about flying?” Where to begin? “Well, I don’t like the feeling of taking off much,” I offered. “I’m always waiting for the back of the plane to hit the runway, and bang, a complete ball of flames. Then once we’re up, and the plane’s banking, I’m terrified we’re going to clip something and bang, ball of flames.” I was in my stride now, grateful to be able to let it all out. “Landing is just as bad. Coming back down through the clouds with all that turbulence is awful. When I came back from Spain last year, the cloud was so low, and the plane was being buffeted about so much, I swear when we finally made it through the cloud, the plane was practically at a right angle and the wing was that much off the runway.” I pinched my fingers together about an inch apart. “When we actually do get on the runway, what if the brakes fail? We’ll go scooting off into a building and bang, ball of flames.” Embarrassed, I paused. But nobody was laughing at me. “Am I the worst?” I asked. “Not at all.” said Keith. “So taking off and landing are problematic, but you’re okay while you’re up there?” “Not exactly. I have panic attacks about the engines failing mid-flight and we fall out of the sky. Bang. Ball of flames.” “Well, we’ve certainly got some work to do today,” said Keith. “Come on, let’s go flying.” We entered a corridor with glass on either side from which I could see the four simulators available. They were bigger than I’d expected. My nerves were beginning to jangle again. As we approached the B767 where my “flight” would take place, I could feel my legs start to wobble. Keith took me through the safety procedures for evacuating the simulator in the event of a fire in the building, or a breakdown in the mechanics of the simulator, and, after strapping me into my seat – with a prime view out of the front of the cockpit – showed me where the panic buttons were, which would stop the simulator immediately if I felt the need. “We stop whenever you feel it necessary, and we don’t do anything you don’t want to do,” said Keith. Although I was at Heathrow, the simulated flight was to be from Gatwick airport. The view of the runway when the simulator started up was frighteningly real. Keith talked me through what was happening in the plane as we headed up the runway. He explained why the engines made the noises they did, why the plane shuddered so much before take off, and why on most flights, banking happened so quickly after leaving the ground. More important, he explained how the plane couldn’t “overbank”, and would most certainly not clip anything. But it still took us three attempts to get up the runway before I would let them take off. Once up, of course, you have to get down somehow. Keith and Mike took me through the whole process again, talking me through every noise, every bump, every aspect of landing. They even showed me how it would have been impossible for my flight from Spain to have come in to land the way I had described earlier. I could feel my confidence growing, and I wanted more. I wanted turbulence. We took off again from the now familiar Gatwick runway and headed towards the south coast. Mike hit the button for slight turbulence. I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so bumpy but I stuck with it. When we hit medium turbulence I was a bit less sure. Severe turbulence pulled me right back down to earth. I was scared again. Keith turned round in his seat to talk to me. I turned in my seat to see what Mike was doing, and to my horror instead of flying the plane he was looking out of the window. I panicked. “Mike, what are you doing?” He didn’t even look round. “I’m just looking to see if I can see the Isle of Wight,” he replied. That’s when it struck me. We were 35,000ft over the south coast, experiencing severe turbulence; the pilot was holding a conversation with me and the co-pilot was looking for the Isle of Wight. If they felt in complete control then why shouldn’t I? That was the turning point for me and I felt myself relaxing. When we finally left the simulator for the post-flight talk, I felt great. I could have got on a plane right there and then and flown anywhere. “We do advise people to fly within four weeks of doing the course,” said James. “Memories of what you’ve experienced in the simulator tend to dim slightly after that.” Still confident, I booked a flight to Cork to visit some friends three weeks later. The morning of the flight I rang Keith. I admitted I didn’t feel great, but I had slept the night before, which I didn’t normally do before flying. He assured me that was a step in the right direction, and told me how brave I was for doing the course in the first place. Sitting on the runway waiting to take off, I began to panic slightly. The engines burst into life and we sped towards take-off. I closed my eyes and imagined myself back in the simulator. I heard Keith and Mike talking me through everything, and I began to calm down. After that, whenever I felt anxious, I did the same again. I ended up quite enjoying the flight, and hardly thought about the return trip the whole time I was in Cork. Three months on, I have trips planned for the coming year. All of them entail flying, and I’m almost looking forward to it. Of course I’ll be taking my own personal crew of Keith and Mike with me. Just in case.
Reproduced from the Sunday Telegraph, 19th June 2002.
“Thank you for your e-mail. After speaking to you some 13 months ago and getting your DVD J took a short flight to Ireland. For me as her husband I feel very proud of her for overcoming a very large fear and as I tell her just keep doing the short flights for an hour to a little longer and she will get use to it. I also believe that a person suffering with this type of fear should tell people, the staff at check in etc as these people can help and I think understand. Most sufferers keep quite as do not want anybody, and even, close friends not to know as they do not want to admit failure. We are planning to fly back to Ireland later this year.I personally have done a lot of flying for business and its just like getting on a bus, but we are not all the same.”
Hello Keith! I’ve just returned last night from two weeks in Greece and can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that I would not have made it without your forum and your book and CD! I’ve flown before with your help but this time the build up was much worse than its ever been before. Of course, in my mind that was because the plane was going to crash!! until I read in your book that anxiety can be heightened following times of great stress which made complete sense and helped me to start putting things into perspective. The thing is me and my family have had a really horrid few months and we so needed this holiday and we had a loveley time. We were able to relax, spend some quality time together and recharge our batteries. If it were not for you I really don’t think we would have made it, so I’m not only grateful from my own point of view but also from that of my hubby and children. I hope you don’t ever under estimate just how much you do for people – not only the nervous flyers but their families as well!!
Just wanted to say that that’s me back after a lovely, though rather hot, week in Menorca with my two daughters. I’m so delighted that I’ve managed to go on holiday with them by air before they don’t want to- probably sooner, rather than later!! I also want to tell you that of all the things I’ve done in the past 4 years to deal with my fear (courses, reading, NLP, CD’s, etc) that I believe this website, and especially your personal help, has been the most beneficial. So, thank you so much:) The girls were especially impressed with my thorough knowledge of all things aviational- dunno if there’s such a word but you know what I mean! I’ll definitely be back…am off to Austria in a couple of wks. Cheers for now.
On 13th June we were sat next to a lady who had never flown before so between us re-assuring each other the flight was a delight. Thanks to Captain Keith I know what all the noises mean and this gave me great confidence and the return flight was excellent as well. The only problem that Captain Keith can’t help me with though – we lost one of our suitcases. It didn’t arrive in Glasgow! Thanks again Captain Keith for giving me the confidence to fly again.
I will be flying next month for the first time in my life. We will be leaving Canada for London. I have been so nervous when thinking about it. Plane problems? Terrorists? Trapped in the air above Atlantic ocean….make matters worse it’s at night. I have been looking for little websites that offer a bit of help and found yours. What a WONDERFUL SITE!!!!! You have given me a glimpse into what the airport is going to sound like and look like and that these things that make people nervous ( i.e technical problems) aren’t always what u may think. Thank you so much!! I now feel more informed before i take my flight. I am keeping your website bookmarked and will readily pass it along to anyone i know who may need it!! Awesome site!!!!!
Hi Keith I just wanted to email you to thank you for your wonderful website. I slowly developed a fear of flying over the last few years. Although it wouldn’t prevent me from flying, the anxiety would start to develop about a week before the trip, and would gradually rise to quite an uncomfortable level. I used to find flying terrifying and consequently arrived at the other end exhausted. I am currently in Laos having a ball but before I left I stumbled across your website. I found all of the information so helpful, and it really helped relieve my anxiety. I will recommend your website to anyone I know that has the same fear, and as I am planning on doing a lot more travel at the end of the year, I think I will buy your book or CD before I go. Many thanks once again for your helpful website. It has made a great difference to me (I even managed an internal Laos flight today which had been causing me great anxiety)
I just had to let you know that almost 4 years after going on the flight simulator at Gatwick with you I have at last taken to the skies. I realise I set my goal too high by making my first destination India, which just never happened. However, I had to go to Dublin on a business trip and was determined to fly there. I had a month to prepare so armed with your book, DVD and CD’s (what a wonderfully soothing voice Jasper has) I did an enormous amount of homework. It worked wonderfully. What a difference knowledge and understanding makes. In fact I really irritated my travelling companion by giving her a running commentary!! I won’t pretend I wasn’t apprehensive, but I kept in mind the bravery of the very distressed lady on your DVD. I was rather surprised at my reaction after I arrived back at Gatwick as when I got to my car I just sobbed. The following day I felt so elated and have not yet come down to earth. I keep looking up at the sky watching the aircraft, which is particularly fascinating on a clear night. I feel now I can fly without a problem and my only regret is that I have wasted 34 years. It has liberated me, but also given me confidence in so many other ways. I could not have done it without you Keith. Your sincere concern, understanding and kindness shine through. You will always have my heartfelt thanks and admiration.
It was a short flight which helped and I was able to enjoy the sights of the Italian coast as we were coming in. To be honest I didn’t get to listen to all the download before I went and then, on the plane, found that it had failed to download properly to my MP3 player (my fault) so didn’t have it with me BUT the elements I had listened to before I went stayed with me and were extremely helpful and I passed some gems of wisdom onto some of the more nervy pupils.
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