Bizstartup.ie - NewsFly Fearless celebrates its first year in business

Comyn, who obtained his first pilot’s licence at the age of 16, has worked as a therapist, mentor and management consultant, but he says the impetus to start Fly Fearless came about last year after his management consultancy firm lost a lot of business in a short timeframe due to the recession.

“I had looked at the model before so decided to revisit it. I got the brand sorted quickly and engaged a PR company. There was a competitor in the UK, but since we started 12 of its ex-clients have come to Fly Fearless as they didn’t have success with that other company.”

In the space of one year, Comyn, who employs two other people, has helped 316 people overcome their fear of flying.

Courses take place at the Simtech Centre at Dublin Airport whereby people firstly engage in a classroom session and are taught about the different reasons why they have a fear of flying.

The second part of the course involves a pilot who answers people’s questions and explains the different stages of the flight process.

Participants then go for a simulator session in a state-of-the-art simulator Simtech Centre where they experience turbulence and different flying sensations. Following their simulation training, Comyn and his team teach people relaxation and positive thinking techniques.

The remaining part of the course involves taking a commercial flight from Dublin Airport to Sligo Airport, for example, with a member of the Fly Fearless team.

Explains Comyn: “We help people work through their fears and concerns without using hypnosis or aversion therapy. In just one day, people’s attitudes and feelings towards flying can be completely changed.

“Fear of flying can develop very suddenly, but fortunately, it can also be overcome just as quickly. The Fly Fearless workshop arms aerophobics with information about what is happening at each stage from take off to landing, prepares them with coping techniques to feel more in control of the situation and explains the physical causes of anxiety.”

While the company did experience a small loss in its first year of trading, Comyn is confident about consolidating the business in Ireland.

He says the use of social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook has helped spread the word about the company, while the posting of simulator flights on YouTube has also proved popular.

Plans in the pipeline include the launch of Confidentflight.com, a programme for people who fly frequently and who want to be empowered with more technical knowledge about flying. Comyn is also developing a programme specifically targeted for children called Fly Fearless Kids.

Fly Fearless is certainly playing a role in helping alter people’s attitudes about flying for the better.

Photo: Michael Comyn, CEO, Fly Fearless, which helps people overcome their fear of flying