Lovefly® Blog - Bride with fear of flying arrives in helicopter for wedding

20+ years of helping people with a fear of flying has taught us this ...When the desire/reason to beat the fear is bigger than the fear, the fear starts to go.  

We all have the ability to overcome our fears, fear of flying is no different.  When the compelling reason is there or, we feel there is no alternative, we can do it.  This is certainly the case for Maleea Forbes who had no choice but to take to the air or be late for her wedding.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

'Dad approached me, and said "look there's been a really bad accident... a lot of guests are struggling to get to the wedding, it's taking people hours so if we drive, you're going to be an hour late to your wedding",' she told Sunrise.

'Then he said "no, wait. I've got another option for you. I've got a helicopter on standby if you want to take that in case." I thought he was joking but he wasn't.'

The bride - who has a fear of flying - decided to surprise her husband-to-be by arriving at the altar in a helicopter with her father and four bridesmaids.'

The reason for Maleea flying would not have been enough reason for some of the people that we have met in the past but, it was enough for her.  However, for many it is when they simply say to themselves, 'enough is enough - I AM going to beat this fear no matter what.'  Once the resolution is there to beat it, the fear starts to dissipate.

In summary, don't give up. You were not born with the fear of flying. 

Here is the full article 

Take care,

Lovefly® Team

Future Courses

Lovefly® Runway courses (Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, UK)
21st March
20th June
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Lovefly® Blog - being a parent and fear of flying

Celebs with fears of flying

It turns out that celebs have fears of flying too!  Kyle Richards from RHOBH talks about her fear of flying and how bad it used to be.  This article caught our eye because the likely cause or trigger for her fear of flying, is quite a common one we have found  - the onset of children.

Not quite sure why. It could be the sudden responsibility you have? It could be suddenly feeling mortal?

Who knows the exact reason.  Suffice as to say, it affects a lot of people.

Kyle Richards from Real Housewives of Beverley Hills' talks about having the fear and also how she got past it.

Here is an excerpt:

Richards recently shared that she was flying home from seeing Erika Girardi star in the Broadway musical Chicago. Three other RHOBH cast members accompanied Richards as they traveled via private plane. Although she looked calm and happy in the photos, Richards has shared on a number of occasions that she has a serious fear of flying.

Full article here

Take care,

Lovefly®  Team

Courses Coming Up:

Lovefly® Runway courses

21st March

20th June

21st November

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Lovefly® Blog - Fear of flying dogs

Dogs at Southampton Airport (UK) helping nervous flyers...

We think that this is a lovely initiative to help those with a fear of flying.  Remember, there are between 1 in 5 and 1 in 6 people that have a fear of flying. Many more experience anxiety but have not classified it completely as fear of flying...yet.

Simon Young, Head of Passenger Operations, said: "Having therapy dogs in our airport will not only benefit our passengers but also our staff.

"Four legged companions are well known for boosting general happiness, well-being as well as mood and we are very excited to welcome them to the Southampton Airport family."


According to Southampton's Passenger Ops team, simply stroking a dog can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and spark a sense of calm in passengers feeling nervous about stepping foot on a plane.

Here is the full article


Well done Southampton Airport
Take care,
The lovefly® team

Course Dates coming up:
21st March 
20th June
21st November


The lovefly® Runway full day course, including a Virgin Atlantic Captain and a psychotherapist to help you. This great offer includes food and refreshments too...Only £120 currently.  Website

Lovefly Blog - six fear of flying tips

It is around this time of year that many people have set themselves 'new year resolutions.'  

The new year seems to be a great catalyst to stop doing things they have wanted to stop and to start doing things they have wanted to start.  

We know, for a fact, that this is the time of year we get the most fear of flying help emails....It could be that holiday adverts are everywhere?  Maybe, it is that people decide 'enough is enough, I am going to get rid of my fear of flying.'

The problem with being scared to fly is that it limits your choices.  Sure, you can get to most places without flying but it takes a heck of a lot longer.  Also, you not being able to fly or, not liking the experience, affects others too.  (This is not intended to make you feel guilty by the way. ) 

So, when you overcome this fear, it means that not just you get to fly but, your loved ones get to fly more as well.  Here are six tips to help you when you next fly:

1. Fact - you were not born with a fear of flying. You have learned it at some point and it took a hold.  However, we believe it is never too late to start learning some new ways of thinking and feeling about flying.

2. Most nervous flyers will admit that they like to feel in control.  You are not in control, the pilots are. If you could see how much training, testing and retesting the commercial pilots go through, you would be amazed and very reassured.

3. The aircraft is much, much stronger than you think. It is not bothered by rain, lightning, clouds or turbulence.  you may not like how it feels but it does not mean you are in any danger.

4.  When the seat belt signs come on, strap in. This is for your safety to stop you falling over when walking about. It is not a sign of imminent danger.  If the crew have to sit down and strap in, it is for their safety when walking about the cabin.  

5. No single point of failure.  Every single system has at least one back up system (and often more) in commercial aviation.  


6.  Find ways to relax or distract yourself when you fly.  Whether you worry or whether you don't has no effect whatsoever on the actual safety of the flight.  Why not let the professionals get on with their jobs of getting you safely from A to B?

Hope you found that helpful.

Take care,
The LoveFly Team

Course coming up
21st March 2020 Runway Programme, Redhill Aerodrome, UK

Lovefly Blog - Karren Brady discussing bad behaviour on an aircraft

We have been following the case of Demi Burton being arrested for poor behaviour onboard.  Today, we are making a comment.

Demi Burton has been sentenced six months prison for her drunken behaviour onboard an aircraft.  In her lawyer's statement, he cited fear of flying as the reason for her drunkenness and what followed.   Whether this is true or not, it is not right to speculate. 

However, this is not the first time that this has happened onboard an aircraft for somebody.  It is not okay to get drunk and behave badly - which is why the crew are so very well trained to deal with it.  That also includes the authority to restrain and handcuff passengers!  Most of the time, the crew deal with it calmly and quietly and nothing is heard. If it gets out of control, then it will make the news. Remember, anything to do with commercial aviation tends to make the news.

So, if Demi does have a fear of flying, she has done what a lot of nervous flyers do before their flights....  have a 'few' drinks for courage.  This is not the long term solution.  Nothing wrong with a glass of wine to relax. You need to drink lots of water on flights as it is quite dehydrating up there, which makes the alcohol kick in a bit quicker.

Saw this article by Karren Brady and thought we would share it as very nicely put.
Click here


If you are have a fear of flying, please get some help with it.  There are lots of professional people out there who can help you.

Take care,
Lovefly® Team

Course coming up
Lovefly®  Runway Course  21st March 2020  Details here

Lovefly Blog - Iran Ukrainian Plane Crash

The Ukrainian aircraft crash will have disturbed a lot of people - not just those with a fear of flying.  Here are our thoughts on this terrible tragedy.

According to the reports I have read on BBC website (UK) today, Iran has allegedly admitted that they 'unintentionally shot it down.'  Whether this becomes defined as an act of war or terrorism, is for others to decide.

For us, in commercial aviation, this is what will happen.

As with all incidents and accidents, we learn from them.  Aircraft routing will be changed to ensure we all fly in safe areas. There will be known 'no fly areas' that all commercial airlines will share and adhere to.  This is something that will be constantly reviewed and adjusted - as it always is.

Our thoughts are now with the families of those poor people who lost their lives.  For the rest of us,  we must carry on out of respect to them.  We cannot let bullies or extremists from stopping us go about our lives.  Commercial aviation is still incredibly safe and incidents like this are thankfully, extremely rare.   

For those of you reading this with a fear of flying, please do one thing.  Do not read, view, listen or engage in any reporting of this tragedy.   It will not help your fear of flying and in fact, you will be 'feeding the fear.'

Hope that found that helpful.

Take care,
The LoveFly Team


   

Lovefly Blog - Weather Worries

Happy New Year!

At this time of year, you might experience all sorts of rotten weather...Snow, Ice, Fog, Torrential Rain - this might worry you?

This blog is intended to reassure you if you have a fear of flying - commercial aviation is prepared for all types of weather.











In a nutshell, there are strict rules and limits when it comes to this type of contamination (airline speak for things like water, snow, ice...) and general weather challenges such as fog for example.   We have procedures and strict rules as that keeps us all safe.   These are not airline specific, they are country specific.  So, in UK it is the Civil Aviation Authority.  There are similar organisations that govern standards in US, Canada and Europe.

We know what we can take off and land in.   We know what to do when it is snowing, freezing or chucking it down with rain.   All of this has been thought about.  

If you could see how the aircraft and engines are tested long before they are signed off for flying, you would be absolutely amazed!  Plus, very reassured.  Safety first always.

Take care,
LoveFly Team

P.S. We have a course with limited places coming up on 21st March 2020 normally £200 but this course is £120 all in....including food! Here are more details