Meet the Team
You're in safe hands
Our dedicated Fear of Flying team consists of Course Director, Susie Stevenson, and a small team of airline pilots, hand-picked for their experience and understanding of nervous flyers' concerns.
Susie Stevenson - Course Director
Susie helped develop the Fear of Flying Course and has been Course Director since the course started in 2002. As the first and main point of contact, Susie speaks to everyone before they come on the course, firstly to develop a background to your fear so the course can be tailored to your individual needs, and secondly to assess whether the course is right for you. As the non-technical face of the team she attends most of the courses, offering a sympathetic, listening ear for people to talk to, and can empathise with many as she overcame a fear of flying herself. Susie speaks to everyone after their courses as well, to provide constant support should it be needed. Acting as a 'guiding star', she has found that many people stay in touch for years after their course.
Martyn Apperly - Heathrow/Gatwick
Martyn joined BOAC in 1968 and flew various aircraft types until 1989, when he became one of the first British Airways Captains to join the new Boeing 747-400 fleet. He flew the 'Jumbo' long-haul until he retired from BA where the retirement age was 55. Discovering that he still wanted to fly, Martyn joined easyJet as a direct entry Captain flying the Boeing 737 on short-haul flights. This combination of experience of flying with a national carrier and a budget airline has given him a wealth of knowledge and understanding, which has proved valuable to the many people who have him as their Captain on their course. Martyn joined Virtual Aviation in 2005 where his interest, sympathetic nature and thoroughness marked him out as a suitable pilot for those with a fear of flying. He is also very willing to keep in touch after the course and with his particular interest in weather; he has proved to be a real support and a catalyst for change for anxious flyers. Consequently, Martyn now heads the small team of Fear of Flying pilots.
Nick Oak - Heathrow/Gatwick
Following his flying training, Nick flew various aircraft for Air UK, Virgin Sun and easyJet before joining Virgin Atlantic in 2002. He flies the Boeing 747-400 'Jumbo' on long-haul flights around the world. Nick’s interest in working with people who were anxious about flying resulted in him taking part on some of the Virgin Flying without Fear courses. In 2002, Nick joined Virtual Aviation, working in his free time, operating the simulators with commercial pilots and members of the public. Nick’s energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and obvious interest marked him out as a suitable pilot to join the small Fear of Flying team. Recently Nick and his family moved to France, but he still flies long-haul for Virgin Atlantic and still finds the time to continue working with us. Like Martyn, Nick finds working with people who are anxious about flying both interesting and rewarding.
Simon Taylor - Heathrow/Gatwick
Simon was formerly a military pilot and conducted 43 sorties during the Gulf War. In 1993 he left the military and moved to flying Gulfstream executive jets out of Heathrow, before becoming a Captain on a Boeing 737 BBJ for a private owner. Recently he joined another private company, but still flies the B737 BBJ as a Captain. Simon is a very experienced pilot who, like the others, has flown all over the world. This experience, plus his very sympathetic and careful nature, drew him towards working with anxious passengers and makes him a very suitable member of the Fear of Flying team.
Steve Freeman - Manchester
Steve started his flying career in the Royal Air Force, flying Tornado fast jets before becoming an instructor. After leaving the RAF, he became a commercial pilot and joined GB Airways (then a division of British Airways) flying the Airbus A320 and A321. When GB Airways opened a base at Manchester, Steve transferred there and was also promoted to Captain. GB Airways has subsequently been taken over by easyJet. Steve recently became a Type-Rating Instructor on the Airbus A320, allowing him to instruct commercial pilots. His professionalism and conscientious approach are well suited to working with people who are anxious about flying, as he applies himself with great care in thinking how best to help people change their perception of flying. Whilst he was based at Gatwick, Steve worked with us on courses there, but now he is based at Manchester, we have recently started offering courses there, run by him. The courses will be of limited availability, as he is currently the only Fear of Flying Captain based there.
