A DIY-lesson 'flying for people with a fear of flying'

[cathay belgium]

Hi,

A friend of mine has a fear of flying but she will need to fly next summer !!
So, she looked for the lessons some organisations organise for this people..
But the rates are too high.. so some other friends asked me to give her a lesson for free as
I'm known amongst my friends as the nutcase concerning flights and flying
I can explain how a plane works, what will happen during every stage of flight, how planes react in different situations, can tell about the air-disasters and why they will not happen to us nowadays, and give some nice statistics, medical health during flights ( ear problems ) and we could do a short intro flight day return to for ex. STN with FR ( 50 min - turbulence not frequent instead of for ex. BGY ( with alps ) ).

But now:

What other topics are given to these people during this kind of courses ?? ( Yoga ? Breathing technics )
I don't know.. so if anyone has more info concerning these days/lessons, please share .. or tell me what more is needed before take-off ...

THX already..

CX-B

[jan_olieslagers]

Get her to take a ride in a two-seater. Frontseat in a tandem best of all (piper Cub? SV4?). After that, sitting in the coach's back seats will be a minor ordeal.

[cathay belgium]

Haha Jan !
That's really true, but guess the first step is like base-jumping when you're afraid of heights...
Damn hard !! haha

Besides would love do do this myself in first place .. a SV 4 ...mmmm ...

CX-B

[favourite_belgian]

There's a Channel 4 documentary called "Fear of Flying" first broadcast in 2006. The documentary follows a group of people with a fear of flying who try to overcome their fear with the help of a specialist. One of the tricks they learn is to relax and in their minds go to a place where they feel safe. At the same time you tap your wrist with your fingers. You repeat this process several times. That way your brain makes the connection between tapping your wrist and feeling relaxed/safe. The idea is that when you feel your fear setting in you tap your wrist and the fear abates.

[Fear Dragon]

Sounds like you'll be a great resource for your friend. Maybe this would be worth a look too, to set the scene... a whole Fear of Flying course wrapped up in a fun, easy to digest book... Here's the spiel, visit the website http://dragonsofthinair.com for more, or Amazon.
===============
Written to appeal to young and old alike, Dragons of Thin Air is an entertaining, insightful and comprehensive discussion for anybody who is afraid (or even just a little bit nervous) of flying.

It is not your average self help book, however. If you hate taking medicine or fall asleep at the very thought of reading a textbook you will absolutely love Dragons of Thin Air.  Yes, all the good Fear of Flying stuff is here (and more!) but weaving these topics together is a story.

In this story a reformed Fear Dragon teaches a family of fearful flyers how not to be afraid. Such a helpful attitude, being somewhat against the dragon's basic instincts, makes for a whole bunch of fun from start-to-finish. But, he does know fear --- who better to run a course about fear than a dragon?

Fear of Flying courses generally include some fairly standard content, and we've got all that good stuff; With nearly 200 illustrations you'll find these topics presented so simply, so clearly and so believably that you'll be absolutely astounded that nobody ever explained it that way before.

Beyond these basics we explore some deeper issues such as how humans (as prey animals) are hardwired to feel fear, how the modern world manipulates us to enhance our fear, and the role of our imagination in the process. Even the contribution of our basic (poor) understanding of numbers and statistics is explained... Stop yawning! We don't do it boring! And, to top it off, we provide a range of relaxation strategies and tools for the times when knowledge alone is not enough.

If you are ready to tackle your fear, and can suspend your disbelief for just long enough to give a recalcitrant dragon half a chance, join us for what truly is "A Most Unusual Fear of Flying Course."

[regi]

I enjoyed once a very cheap flight with SN because it was also used for people with fear of flying. The attendants were very conforting, especially because they thought we also belonged to the group.
Not one person panicked, cried or shouted, or went berserk , trying to open the door in-flight.

There was some turbulence during landing, but nobody threw up. I remember one member saying after landing: "fine, let's fly back to Brussels straight away"

Are those programs still going on at BRU? Send your friend to the course. I witnessed it and it is perfect.

[luchtzak]

Get her to take a ride in a two-seater. Frontseat in a tandem best of all (piper Cub? SV4?). After that, sitting in the coach's back seats will be a minor ordeal.

I wouldn't recommend this type of anti-fear of flying lessons.

[luchtzak]

I enjoyed once a very cheap flight with SN because it was also used for people with fear of flying. The attendants were very conforting, especially because they thought we also belonged to the group.
Not one person panicked, cried or shouted, or went berserk , trying to open the door in-flight.

There was some turbulence during landing, but nobody threw up. I remember one member saying after landing: "fine, let's fly back to Brussels straight away"

Are those programs still going on at BRU? Send your friend to the course. I witnessed it and it is perfect.

Found this on the web: http://www.ugent.be/nl/actueel/nieuws/p ... ologie.htm

Jan Verbeke
Fear of Flying Project Brussels Airlines
Tel. 02 723 83 58
Gsm 0475 65 00 56
Jan.Verbeke@brusselsairlines.com

[cathay belgium]

Hi,

THX

Are those programs still going on at BRU? Send your friend to the course. I witnessed it and it is perfect.

So, she looked for the lessons some organisations organise for this people..
But the rates are too high..

+1000 euros for 2 days indeed with a guided flight..

CX-B

[Fear Dragon]

Hey Luchtzak...
Thanks for the Brussels Airlines Fear of Flying course link. I am building a list of Fear of Flying courses around the world (at the Dragons of Thin Air website), and I didn't know of that one.

Anyone know of other courses?

[regi]

Hi,

THX

Are those programs still going on at BRU? Send your friend to the course. I witnessed it and it is perfect.

So, she looked for the lessons some organisations organise for this people..
But the rates are too high..

+1000 euros for 2 days indeed with a guided flight..

CX-B

hey, there is a session with a shrink, participants loose their fear and who knows, maybe they get new friends or even a new partner? Nice alternative for evening classes Spanish
Seriously: 1000 € is not cheap. But you have to see it as an investment in the future, spread over several holidays, family visits or even important business meetings.