Posts Tagged iPod

With over 100,000 applications available for the iPhone and iPod Touch, some obviously don’t quite live up to their hype. Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Without Fear is one of those.

First, I understand there are quite a few jittery travelers who have phobias, rational or not, about flying. And I can understand the apprehension of those who have been involved, or whose relatives have been involved, in aviation accidents or close calls.

I’m just not sure how much this $4.99 program from Apple’s iTunes store will help.

Flying Without Fear basically strings together video and audio clips that include explanations of noises on airplanes, relaxation exercises and assurances that the pilots know what they are doing. (I don’t guess Delta/Northwest could make that claim after crew members overshot Minneapolis-St. Paul by 150 miles, supposedly because they were engrossed in their laptop computers.)

The application begins with a welcome by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic president, who appears to be working without a script and doesn’t add much to the program. But, he’s Sir Richard.

A video by Virgin pilot David Kistruck (at least he’s more prepared) runs the gamut from pre-flight checks to landings and could be somewhat interesting to those who are new to flying. But road-warrior types won’t find any revolutionary information there.

The application also includes breathing and relaxation exercises. For example, push the “airplane doors closing” button and you’ll hear a dulcet-toned, unseen announcer telling you to imagine a beautiful garden filled with flowers, while sounds of birds chirping play in the background. Of course, you won’t be able to listen right after the doors are closed since all electronic devices have to be turned off.

I’ve seen similar relaxation exercises on the in-flight entertainment systems of some foreign carriers. They might even lull some flyers to sleep on long hauls.

Flying Without Fear also offers quick tips for nervous flyers, such as getting up and walking around, breathing into a paper bag for 30 seconds, concentrating on breathing slowly and talking to people around you. Again, it’s nothing that most flyers would consider groundbreaking information.

There’s also a place to record your progress and rate your fears. The program includes its own panic button. The “fear attack” button brings up the screen I’ve included in this post, with the written assurance, “You will be ok.” Feeling better yet?

The app is based on Virgin Atlantic’s already-established Flying Without Fear course which, according to the airline, has a success rate of more than 98 percent. I’m not sure how they measure that.

Personally, I’d consider this more of a novelty than a serious app. But I’m sure some will sing its praises and say it helped calm them during a scary flight.

Perhaps it would be better if Virgin Atlantic did not charge for the program and used it, instead, to promote the airline and a more-relaxed flying lifestyle. As it is now, I’m not sure it’s worth the five bucks.

Rocking iPhone/iPod Devices for your Home, Office & More at iHome!