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STUDY AT HENLEY

Fly with Confidence

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Programme overview

The Fly with Confidence short course tackles flight anxiety by sharing a blend of knowledge and mental health tools. It begins by demystifying the science of flight, explaining what causes turbulence and highlighting aviation's safety record. Participants learn techniques to manage anxiety triggers, practice relaxation methods, and reframe negative thoughts. This unique one-day course emphasises individual support and leverages expert instructors who have a deep understanding of the aviation industry. You will leave with practical tips for a smoother travel experience and be more empowered when you fly.

Course conveners

•    Senior Captain - Laurence Graham
•    Senior First Officer - Railton Simmonds

Delivery method

A one-day event held on the Henley Business School Paulshof, Johannesburg campus.

Target audience

The short course is designed to support a range of nervous flyers, from those seeking to manage their anxiety to those wanting to overcome debilitating phobias. If you are a business professional who frequently travels for work looking to alleviate your anxiety, someone who avoids air travel due to fear, or if you are required to fly for personal or professional reasons but struggle with the experience, this short course is for you. The course aims to provide support and strategies for anyone seeking to empower themselves and develop self-mastery and confidence in the air. 

Programme features

Key benefits

Successful delegates will achieve the following outcomes:

Less fear and anxiety

You will develop effective strategies to manage and overcome a fear of flying, enabling you to approach air travel more calmly and confidently.

Expanded opportunities

By removing barriers associated with travel anxiety, you can pursue new career opportunities and explore new destinations.

Aviation-032

Enhanced well-being  

Reduce your stress and improve your mental well-being by addressing and resolving anxiety related to flying, leading to a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.

Enhanced safety and awareness  

Gain a deeper understanding of flight mechanics, safety procedures, and emergency protocols, increasing your confidence in navigating air travel situations and responding to potential challenges.

Empowerment and control

Feel empowered and in control of your emotions and reactions while flying, allowing you to approach air travel with a sense of mastery and self-assurance

Curriculum Outline

Morning Session: Knowledge is Power

Welcome and introductions: 
  • Aviators: Relate years of flying experience and reinforce passion for aviation.

  • Participant stories: Allow nervous flyers to share what scares them most. This validates their fear and guides presenters in addressing specific concerns. 

How aircraft fly: The basics 
  • Simplify lift, drag, thrust, and weight. There are no complex formulas, just the principles of what keeps a plane airborne. 

  • Address how these forces come together in different phases – take-off, cruise, and landing. 

  • Discuss design components: wings, engines, redundant systems built for safety. 

  • The truth about turbulence 
  • Likening turbulence to bumps on a road versus catastrophic danger. 

  • How aircraft are designed to withstand most turbulence. 

  • What actions do pilots take when they encounter rough air?

Midday: Focus on Feelings

The brain-body connection 
  • This explains the fight-flight-freeze response and how our brains sometimes misinterpret flight situations. 

  • Normalise anxiety, but explain when it becomes unhelpful. 

Relaxation techniques 
  • Introduce at least two techniques: Box breathing, guided muscle relaxation, and a simple mindfulness exercise. 

  • Provide relaxation technique handouts for at-home practice.

Reframing negative thinking 
  • "What if?" spirals teach how to catch these early and offer healthier responses.

  • It is essential to focus on controllable factors of the flight experience. 

Afternoon: Practical Flight Prep and Talk-through of a Journey

Beyond statistics: Why flights are (really) safe
  • Focus on pilot training, checklists, pre-flight routines, and continuous flight monitoring – showing it's not "luck". 

  • Touch on aircraft maintenance and redundancy (multiple backup systems).

Weather wonders
  • How pilots monitor the weather before take-off with meteorologists. 

  • Aircraft are built to withstand and even avoid various weather conditions.

  • Why lightning strikes have little impact on modern airliners. 

In control: Choosing and planning your flight 
  • Smaller aircraft vs. larger, smoother rides on major carriers. 

  • Morning vs. evening flights for less turbulence likelihood. 

  • Pre-flight routines to establish your sense of preparedness. 

Sensory Experience

The in-flight experience - sights and sounds of flight: Explanations of the aircraft interior, take-off roll, different views in calm flight, and landing approach
  • The sights, sounds, and sensations of flying and their associated contexts.

  • Accompany videos with non-alarmist commentary by aviators – normalising noises and procedures.

Wrap-Up: Q&A, Support, and Next Steps

The only international quadruple-accredited business school in Africa AABS AACSB Association of MBAs EQUIS

Take the next step in mastering your fear of flying

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Meet, Senior Captain Laurence Graham, your dedicated guide to anything related to the Henley aviation short courses.  With four decades of experience in the aviation industry and complementary expertise as a business management consultant, he is perfectly positioned to be your guide in all things aviation.

Tired of feeling anxious before or during flights? This course can empower you by helping you develop new strategies and coping mechanisms so you feel more confident in the air. Ready to take off?

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