My airline career began on turboprops, flying short hops in all kinds of weather. From there I moved to narrowbody jets, then spent years on large widebody aircraft flying long-haul routes, both passengers and cargo, before returning to a modern narrowbody as a captain. Four aircraft types, more than twenty years, and a lot of turbulence, thunderstorms, night flights and early mornings.
Along the way, I met many passengers who were frightened of flying. Some gripped the armrests from pushback to parking. Some hadn't visited family abroad in years. What struck me was that their fear almost always came from the unknown: a noise they couldn't explain, a bump that felt like a drop, a delay nobody explained.
Pilots know what those things are, and we know they're normal. The Calm Flyers is my way of sharing that knowledge, in plain English, with anyone who needs it.
What you'll find here
- Clear articles on turbulence, sounds, weather, safety and practical tips
- A free illustrated guide you can take on board
- A full course (coming soon) with audio sessions and a flight-day plan
Why I stay behind the scenes
The Calm Flyers is an independent project. I write as a pilot, not as a representative of any airline, and I don't name employers or show branded aircraft or uniforms. That keeps the focus where it belongs: on you, and on how flying really works.
An important note
I'm a pilot, not a doctor or therapist. My content is general information to help you understand flying. If your fear seriously affects your life, please also speak to a doctor or a qualified therapist; CBT-based fear-of-flying programmes have good evidence behind them.
"You don't need to stop feeling nervous to fly. You just need to understand what's happening, and have a few tools ready."