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Tackle fear of flying with a courseBy Nick Easen for CNN  Fear of flying is a lot to do with unfamiliarity and a lack of knowledge about the reality of flight. QUICKVOTEBUSINESS TRAVELLER
RESOURCES
OTHER NEWSYOUR SAY
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSLONDON, England (CNN) -- The next time you are traveling through Heathrow and you get a panic attack associated with flying, you may want to sign up to a course. Virgin Atlantic is starting one-day workshops at the world's busiest international airport, aimed at helping sufferers overcome their fear of flying. Already 57 people have signed up to the course at a cost of $355 (£199), which includes an optional 45-minute flight at the end of the day -- if you are up for it. It is a chance to learn that carriers do make precise calculations before take off to account for passenger numbers, the weight of luggage and jet fuel on the plane. And that your plane is highly unlikely to crash into another aircraft, because they operate in a very broad space in the sky -- 300 meters apart, above and below, as well as eight kilometers horizontally. "These courses make a real difference to people's lives (including) business travelers who, despite being frequent flyers, (can) get anxious on every flight," says chairman of Virgin Atlantic, Richard Branson. The courses have been running for a number of years at other British airports including Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, but have yet to come to the capital. The day starts off with briefings from two Virgin captains who talk about how the aircraft functions, as well as noises and safety. After lunch a psychotherapist teaches potential fliers skills that will help them control their flying fears and phobias. The flight at the end of the day contains a running commentary from the pilot about what you have learnt during the "Flying without fear" course. Virgin Atlantic also has a special assistance department, which you can call the next time you fly. It is there to help with special requirements tailored to flight anxieties. Virgin is not the only carrier involved in this arena; British Airways also runs courses with pilots, cabin crew or ground staff at five UK airports aimed at addressing people's fears, at a cost of $420 (£235). If your budget does not stretch to such a flying course then you may want to check out scaredofflying.com. The Web site has advice and tools for passengers who have issues with boarding a plane. There is also a Webcast called "Captain's Clinic," which runs early September. During the Webcast you can talk to the "Captain" on a one-to-one basis and ask questions about your flying concerns. There are now even audio products available that incorporate sound effects that acclimatize the listener to unfamiliar flight noises, as well as in-flight safety and weather broadcasts. 
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