Afraid of flying? You’re not alone.

Each time an airline safety issue makes the news, nervous flyers are reminded of their fear, which may range from a few butterflies to a debilitating phobia.

According to fearlessflyers.com.au, almost one in four people has a fear of flying. This can lead to missed opportunities for work, travel and family relationships.

Supported by Airservices Australia and Qantas, Fearless Flyers is a non-profit volunteer organisation aiming to help people overcome their fear of flying.

A person’s fear of flying is real and significant but not something they born with - it was learnt, according to Fearless Flyers.

Courses are run from Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane by volunteers and with the help of a psychologist.

The final stage of the course is a Qantas flight accompanied by a staff member from the organisation.

The courses cover the psychology of fear, relaxation techniques, how a plane flies, airline crew roles, meteorology and navigation, as well as aircraft design, maintenance and testing.   

For price details and more information about courses, visit the Fearless Flyers website.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fearless Flyers is run by women pilots.

Aviation pioneer Nancy Bird Walton, who was the founder and patron of the Australian Women Pilots’ Association, was one of the organisation’s founding group.

Fearless Flyers is the second oldest course of its kind in the world.

In more than 30 years, more than 1500 people have “graduated” from the course.

© The West Australian