We all realize that statistically we are safer in an aircraft than we are in a car, but that celebration is of accessible helping hand to those who are afraid to fly and it will not stop them from experiencing intense anxiety and even panic attacks at the thought of having to fly.

Our imagination can be a friend of foe. It actually has no way of making the distinction between fact and fiction; it simply accepts all inputs from every sense and files them for future reference.

Our logical brains can rationalize, look at statistics, read books and articles such as this and know that flying is safer than most modes of transport. But it is our reptilian brains that keep us safe that function as a self protection mechanism and once that part of our brain has been triggered by an event it takes work to re-program it.

We really have little control over the reptilian part of our brain, but it has a lot of control over us. It is this part of our brain that causes us to take immediate evasive action when we are in danger.

When we are afraid to fly it is the reptilian brain that is triggered. Your logical brain knows differently but it cannot communicate this knowing to the reptilian brain.

The only way to overcome this fear of flying is to work on re-programming the reptilian brain. It is important to get the message through that flying is safe.

Hypnosis, guided relaxation and imagery are good places to start. By changing state it becomes possible to communicate directly with the reptilian brain. Through persistence and practice the message and experience it holds becomes changed and the fear of flying is replaced with a more positive reaction to this form of travel.

Fear is the mechanism that keeps us safe. We do not want to do away with all fear we need to retain the capability to react without thinking, when appropriate.

Jonathan Curd is an experienced International Airline Captain who actively works to help individuals overcome their fear of flying. More information is available at http://www.fear-of-flying-help.com Meet Jonathan and learn more about the working day of an airline pilot at his blog - http://planeinfo.blogspot.com