73 Years Old Flew for the First Time (video)

Do you have a fear of flying? What are they? Are you missing you because of this fear? Check out how this gentleman, at the age of 73, flew for the first time after he attended a one-day Flying with Confidence course.

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Photo credit: Starstruck Media

I did not know that such course exists! Check out the video.

Here are the top ten tips on flying.

British Airways Flying with Confidence top 10 tips

  1. Remember that turbulence is uncomfortable but is not dangerous. It is a perfectly normal part of flying caused by nature.
  2. Learn to control your breathing. When you feel anxious, hold your breath, then take a long deep breath in, followed by a long deep breath out. Continue long deep breathing.
  3. Combine the deep breath in with a muscle contraction. Clenching your buttocks is most effective, as it overrides other nervous signals going up and down your spinal cord.
  4. Aircraft like to be in the air. They are designed to be in the air. Pilots and cabin crew like to be in the air also, it is a very normal, safe environment for them to be in.
  5. Understand lift. The wings enable aircraft to fly, not the engines. A commercial aircraft flying at 30,000ft can glide for 100 miles even if all the engines fail.
  6. Split a long flight up into half hour sections. Go with a plan of things to do, perhaps things you never get round to. Write a letter, watch a film, read a book, eat a meal.
  7. Pilots undergo a rigorous selection procedure and are the most highly trained and tested professionals on earth. They are subjected to simulator tests every six months.
  8. Commercial aircraft are incredibly well maintained, and are checked before every flight by pilots and engineers. Routine maintenance is conducted at regular, specified intervals by licensed engineers.
  9. Air traffic controllers are trained and licensed professionals operating under a very strict set of rules. All pilots have to abide by the rules of the air.
  10. Visualise yourself stepping off the aircraft into the arms of loved ones, or into a lovely warm climate, or into a successful business meeting.
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Unfortunately, you cannot get the course here in Singapore.

  • The cost of the course is dependent on location and starts from £199. More information can be found on www.flyingwithconfidence.com.
  • Next available courses are; Johannesburg (August 30, 2017), Heathrow (September 23, 2017), Glasgow (October 7, 2017) and Gatwick (November 11, 2017).
  • Delegates are offered a 10 per cent discount for BA flights booked within a month of attending the course for travel within the next six months.

Here is the Press Release.

Press Release

NEW VIDEO: BRITISH AIRWAYS FLYING WITH CONFIDENCE COURSE HELPS 73-YEAR-OLD TAKE TO THE SKIES FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

SINGAPORE, 16 AUGUST 2017 – A new British Airways video shows 73-year old Ronnie Leach, who has suffered from a lifelong fear of flying, talking shortly after his first ever flight.

In the video Mr Leach explains how, having never stepped on a plane before in his life, he was able to face his fears and fly from Johannesburg to Heathrow on a British Airways A380 super jumbo to visit his daughter who lives in London – with a little help from the airline’s Flying with Confidence course for nervous flyers.

Watch the short and full versions of the video here; short version and full version.

Mr Leach, from Johannesburg, South Africa, says that after 72 years he thought he’d never be able to overcome his fear of flying.

But when his daughter, Chantel, called to say that she’d booked him on one of the airline’s courses in his hometown of Johannesburg – he made the brave decision to go for it, and hasn’t looked back, vowing to keep flying now that he’s discovered international travel.

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The video also shows Mr Leach’s emotional reunion with Captain Steve Allright, the British Airways pilot who led his course in Johannesburg.

British Airways Captain Steve Allright, said: “It’s an amazing privilege to be a part of helping determined people to achieve their goals.

“It’s very special to be able to help bring families together and reunite them with their loved ones – just like Ronnie and Chantel.

“As professional pilots we love flying and want to share that with as many people as possible.”

The British Airways Flying with Confidence course has been running for more than 30 years and has successfully helped more than 50,000 people overcome their fear of flying.

The one-day course includes sessions with highly experienced British Airways pilots explaining the technical side of flying and common concerns such as turbulence, as well as expert advice from a clinical psychologist on relaxation techniques, and managing anxiety.

The courses run throughout the year in several airport locations across the UK and the rest of the world including; Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Johannesburg and Dubai.

UK based courses include a chartered flight with a dedicated British Airways short-haul aircraft and crew.

-Ends-

About British Airways

British Airways’ route network currently serves more than 213 destinations, which include 10 destinations in the UK, 114 in Europe and 89 in the rest of the world. It has been flying to Singapore for over 80 years and currently operates two daily flights between Singapore and London Heathrow, and daily flights between Singapore and Sydney.

The airline operates from the award-winning London Heathrow Terminal 5 exclusive to the customers of British Airways and Iberia Airlines.  In March 2017, London Heathrow won the award for the World’s Best Airport Shopping and was named one of the world’s top 10 airports in the Skytrax World Airport Award.

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In October 2016 at the Business Traveller Awards, British Airways was awarded the Best Short-Haul Carrier and its frequent flyer programme, Executive Club was awarded the Best Frequent Flyer Programme for the 11th consecutive year. British Airways’ Concorde Room at London Heathrow Terminal 5 was awarded Best Airport Lounge. The oneworld alliance, of which British Airways was a founding airline, came in first in the Best Airline Alliance category for the fourth consecutive running.

In February 2016, British Airways was also named the top Business and Consumer Superbrand at the Superbrands 2016 Awards, becoming the first brand to win both prestigious titles two years in a row.

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