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After leaving you on the 16th February (can't believe it was that long ago!) I did go straight to Heathrow to try & book a flight, it surprised me how determined I was to get on a plane! It was the first time that I've ever been disappointed not to get a flight!! It was too late in the day & options were limited, mainly due to unreasonable turnarounds at the destination airport.
I'd already made my mind up to get a flight sorted ASAP & booked a flight to Cork, it was only when I put the phone down that I realised that it was exactly the same flight & almost two years to the day since my last unsuccessful attempt to get to Cork, I felt a bit ill for the next couple of hours!!
I was surprisingly relaxed in the week leading up to the flight, even on the morning driving to the airport I was feeling more excited than nervous! I felt a little apprehensive during take off but by the time we landed in Dublin I was really enjoying it!! The woman next to me did give me a funny look when the speed brake kicked in & I burst out laughing! I also smiled when I'm sure the Captain said "20 minutes to landing for Lucy!". We were in Dublin for about 30 minutes & then took off for Cork, this time I was really relaxed, in fact I was disappointed that the flight hadn't lasted longer! For a brief moment I did consider booking a longer flight from Cork!!
The return flight wasn't quite so comfortable, although the forecast gales didn't materialise the winds were strong & I was a little more apprehensive. I was really disappointed with myself for getting nervous on the return flight, when I looked back on the flight the following day I realised that I'd actually been far better than usual & remembered Keith's diagram showing people who set their targets too high & are always disappointed when they don't achieve them!!
Thanks to your help I've definitely made a big step towards overcoming my fear of flying, it's early days & I really need to get a few flights under my belt but for the first time ever I'm actually excited at the prospect of getting on a plane again!
Will you pass on my thanks to Keith, Susie & Mike for helping me to get this far!! If yourself or Keith are ever planning to come over this way & would like to experience a Footplate Ride on a Steam Train, let me know & I'll see what I can do!!
JASON HOULDERS
Thank you so much for the opportunity to take part in the session on Saturday. I really feel that it has made such a difference to my perceptions of flying and am hopeful that its effects will be equally positive when I fly on 16 March. I'll let you know how I get on! Thank you, again, and very best wishes.
RACHEL B (letter 1 of 2)
Happy to update you on my flight. It went extremely well. I was still nervous to some extent but *much* better than I have been for quite a while!
I noticed the difference the session made soon after taking part. The anxiety had been bad enough beforehand for me to start feeling anxious when I saw or heard a flight overhead. Afterwards, I felt much less worried by this, I think largely due to the reassurance I'd had about how maneouvreable 'planes actually are.
In the run up to my flight I made an effort to mentally go through the steps we'd talked about in the simulator - focusing particularly on loud engine noise at take-off as a normal part of the flight (rather than a prompt for my heart-rate to double!) and remembering that 'levelling off' when you're at the required altitude can make it feel like the aircraft's nose is dipping. Being able to think of these things, which had previously put me into 'What was that noise?' mode, as routine and knowing to expect them gave me some degree of confidence about the flight.
This confidence continued at the airport, and I only started to feel a little nervous when I was actually waiting in the departure lounge to get on the 'plane. When I got on board and took my seat I noticed that the door to the cockpit was open. Looking in there brought back the perspective I'd had in the simulator, and I found it really useful during the flight to imagine what was going on from the pilot's view (obviously basing this on being in the simulator). When we were taxiing for take-off I was going through the mental check list again - power to engines, bump of going over the runway lights and so on. This really took my mind off any nervousness I had. Having levelled off, I was able to pick up a magazine and actually read it (rather than nervously flick the pages!). Although I was conscious of not feeling 'normal', I felt something closer to excitement than fear. My heart-rate still felt a bit higher than usual but the sense of foreboding/contained panic I used to have was largely gone.
There were a couple of points when I did feel anxious. A steep turn out of the airport made me sit up, but the technique of trying to see things from the pilot's perspective gave me back a sense of control and I recalled what we'd covered in the simulator about 'planes being capable of making much steeper turns than they ever do during passenger flights without any safety risk. Changes in engine noise were a bit attention-grabbing, too. I put them down to having reached altitude and not needing so much power. This was perhaps the one point that I should have brought up at the session (changes in engine noise mid-flight) because I know I've noticed engine noise changing during Atlantic flights when we've been half-way across the ocean and I think it would be valuable to know why the noise could change for what seems (to the passenger) no apparent reason. Knowing what I know now, I think I'd be less likely to panic if it did happen, though!
When we were coming in to land I was amazed at how painless the experience had been. I remember my last flight feeling like it had lasted hours, and this one really did 'fly' by! Without a doubt, the simulator gave me a feeling of control that I hadn't felt before. Being able to visualise the pilot's perspective was incredibly helpful, and took away the sense of powerlessness I'd had in the past. It's much easier to dismiss noises and movements when you learn to regard them as the expected result of actions the pilot is deliberately taking.
Overall, I'm really pleased with how well the flight went. I think part of my nervousness may have been due to thinking 'will it or won't it work' about the Fear of Flying session (I think I had a latent fear that I'd get on the 'plane and suddenly be overwhelmed with anxiety!). Knowing now that it has put me back in charge of my feelings and that I can fly without being debilitatingly nervous has boosted my confidence for future flights - hopefully setting a trend that will continue!
Many thanks again to you all. I really do appreciate what the session has done for me and if there's any way I can help you in the future (feedback, testimonials) please feel free to let me know. Best wishes!
RACHEL B (letter 2 of 2)
I am very sorry I haven't got in touch sooner but I have been too busy jetting around the globe. Well, not quite but I have flown three times since the course so I think we can call that an unqualified success! I am so grateful to you all as it will make such a difference to my life.
DAISY A
Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for the most extraordinary afternoon yesterday.
I feel as if a new world has opened up for me and I meant what I said when I told you that you had changed my life. I would never have taken that crucial step if it had not been for you Susie and your kindness and empathy when I first telephoned Virtual Aviation. I will never forget your role in helping me over the first hurdle.
James and I found it a fascinating experience and we were so grateful to Keith for his easy to understand explanations and imagery. We both felt that you all really cared and we were not at all uncomfortable telling you of our fears which must seem absolutely ridiculous to trained pilots.
The anxiety has now turned to excitement and we cannot wait to try out our new found knowledge and confidence. We were given so much practical information we will be able to visualise the flight deck's every move! Even severe turbulence will now hold no fears.
I will write more fully when we have experienced the real thing, but in the meantime I will have very treasured memories of an extraordinary afternoon spent with extraordinarily kind and caring people. Warmest regards.
GILLIAN L
