Fear of Flying course takes off at Waterford Airport

European Aviation College welcomed the first new “recruits” to its inaugural Fear of Flying course which took place at Waterford Airport.

The one day course was developed to help people overcome their fear of flying, a condition that affects one in five people.

Gillian Chiavacci, Head of Training at European Aviation College, congratulated the recent graduates on completing the course.  She said, “We are very proud of our first graduates of the Fear of Flying course and hope that this allows them to have more pleasant flying experiences in the future.  20% of the population suffer from aviophobia or as it is more widely known, fear of flying.  Although it is quite a common phobia, it can be restrictive and debilitating particularly to those who need to or want to travel abroad.”

“Our first group of course participants all experienced varying degrees of aviophobia.  Some found flying uncomfortable and often nerve-wracking, while others were simply unable to get on a plane due to stress and anxiety at the prospect of flying.”

“What we gathered is that the biggest factor in the fear of flying is the fear of the unknown.  Another common condition was claustrophobia as many of our course attendees felt uncomfortable at being in a confined area for several hours on a flight.”

The practical course examined topics such as what causes a fear of flying, how airplanes work, behind the scenes at an airport and ways to reduce anxiety before flying.

The course is delivered by experienced airline pilots.  Waterford pilot Sean O’ Griofa, Course Instructor with EAC, commented “By the end of the day, all of our participants had a real grasp of how to overcome their fears, through a simple understanding of how planes work, and how to deal with stress and anxiety.”

“By familiarising our attendees with the workings of the aircraft, the causes of turbulence, an explanation of in-flight noises, dealing with anxiety and flight preparation the fear associated with flying became less insurmountable.”

If you would like to find out more about the European Aviation College’s next Fear of Flying course, visit www.europeanaviationcollege.ie, call 051 843436 or email info@europeanaviationcollege.ie.

A “plane” and simple solution to overcome the fear of flying!

You’ve booked your summer holiday flight or you have to attend a business meeting in the UK and all you feel is fear…fear of boarding a plane, fear of taking off, fearing of being in the air and fear of landing!

European Aviation College (EAC), a new pilot training college based at Waterford Airport, will host a series of one day courses from January to alleviate the fear of flying, a phobia that affects one in five people.

The course is the brainchild of Gillian Chiavacci, Head of Training at EAC. “We decided to develop and offer fear of flying courses to the public, as it is a phobia that affects almost 20% of the world’s population.  It is a common condition which can be debilitating.  In its most moderate form, it makes flying uncomfortable and unenjoyable, but an extreme phobia can lead people to become overwrought, stressed, anxious and more often, avoid flying at all costs.”

The course is practical and hands-on, delivered by experienced airline pilots.  Waterford pilot David Flynn, Course Instructor with EAC, has over ten years’ commercial flying experience.  He commented, “Evidence suggests that the main fear of flying stems from lack of knowledge, basically we fear the unknown.  The premise of the Fear of Flying course is to familiarise attendees with the workings of the aircraft, the causes of turbulence, an explanation of in-flight noises, dealing with anxiety and flight preparation.”

“The course is conducted over one day at Waterford Airport and gives attendees practical and hands-on knowledge, which empowers them to overcome their fear of flying,” David said.

“There has been a huge amount of interest already and in fact, we have seen an increase in referrals from G.P.s.” Gillian added.  “Many with aviophobia who can’t avoid flying, perhaps due to work or necessary overseas travel commitments, will either medicate or take alcohol, both of which can have adverse consequences. Alcohol can cause dehydration, particularly at an altitude of 35,000 feet.”

If you want to find out more about the European Aviation College’s Fear of Flying course, visit www.europeanaviationcollege.ie, call 051 843436 or email info@europeanaviationcollege.ie.