Ep. 99 - Meet Sophie, Special Assistance, Virgin Atlantic

As Head of Flight Operations at the CAA I have responsibility for the oversight of all commercial aircraft operations; oversight of commercial Approved Training Organisations, and for the standards of Flight Crew Licensing, Instructors and Examiners. I have been in that role since 2019, having been in the CAA as Flight Ops Manager - Aeroplanes role for 2½ years overseeing fixed wing commercial activity. Prior to joining the CAA I was at easyJet for 10 years in various roles including Head of Aircraft Ops, responsible for safety, technical, cabin safety, EFB, performance and airports/routes. I was also a Functional Check Flight Capt for A320 family aircraft as well as TRI and TRE. Before being bought by easyJet I was at GB Airways for 10 years as Flight Manager Technical covering similar areas and check flight activity. I spent 12 years in the RAF mainly flying Tornado GR1/GR1As based in Germany and UK and flying in operational theatres of Northern and Southern Iraq, qualified as an IRE and ACO. With a period as a Simulator Instructor on Harrier GR5/7. I am still a current A320 Capt, TRI, TRE, SE and Training Inspector, and GA Pilot with a share in a Beagle Pup. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia Private Members Group https://lovefly.podia.com Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John has had an awesome aviation career and just loves it! Talking about safety, flying, preparing and what it takes to be a pilot. John graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Double Major in Aviation Flight Science and Aviation Administration. He holds an ATP MEL/Commercial SEL, CFI-CFII ASEL, and has several type ratings, the most recent of which is a Gulfstream G-VII earned in 2023. John has conducted flight instruction in many different environments 61/141 and also acted as a jet charter training captain on Lear 45/75. John also spent 14 years as the Program Director for the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). Today, John works for a Fortune 500 corporate flight department flying all over the world. He also has a passion for aviation outreach using his past NAFI and corporate platforms to mentor and speak with young future aviation professionals at local high schools and universities with an aviation focus. At the beginning of 2025, John partnered with yoga and meditation expert and Lovefly community member Gita Brown to create a brand new company and podcast called The Calm Cockpit (www.calmcockpit.com) with the intent to share how the latest tools in stress reduction, well-being, and high performance mental training can improve the abilities of aviators. Together they hope to show how understanding these techniques can create a mindset of excellence not just in flying, but flight training, proficiency, and aviation safety. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia Private Members Group https://lovefly.podia.com Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is Sarah Holmes and her story.  Sarah was booked and ready to attend our course in Manchester in April 2025 and then, she became ill. She was gutted but still determined to fly two months later. So, what was she to do?!  This is what she did and what you can learn from too. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is Derrick Lacey - Born and raised near St. Louis, MO in the US. and been married to his beautiful wife Jen for 11 years and has two wonderful children. This is his story of how he started to overcome fear of flying. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dave Geer is Senior Vice President - Operations at Virgin Atlantic and was appointed to this role in September 2020.  He is responsible for large parts of Virgin Atlantic’s operations, including flight operations, pilots, cabin crew, inflight services, crew logistics, property & facilities and business resilience. Dave is also the executive sponsor of Virgin Atlantic’s VALUED network (Virgin Atlantic Loves Unity & Ethnic Diversity). Prior to his current role, Dave was SVP – Revenue Management & Distribution, with responsibility across pricing and revenue management, distribution strategy and digital transformation. Dave joined Virgin Atlantic from Virgin Holidays, where he was Interim Managing Director.  Prior to his role as Managing Director, Dave was responsible for revenue management, product, corporate strategy and business development. Dave began his career as a management consultant at L.E.K., where he spent over six years advising companies on mergers, acquisitions and a variety of strategies across heavy industry, retail and financial services. Dave lives in London with a wife and three children. He enjoys running, cycling, cricket and watching most sports. He is originally from Adelaide, Australia and studied Chemical Engineering at the University of New South Wales. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Collette Whiting is the Chief Operating Officer of a UK-based manufacturing business with a global footprint - but she’s also someone who knows first-hand what it’s like to live with a fear of flying. After years of avoiding air travel, Collette committed to overcoming her fear and has since completed 17 flights in just 12 months as part of her personal journey. She brings a blend of lived experience and honest reflection, sharing what has helped her along the way. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lara brings her huge experience of working with trapped energy, trauma and much more. She is super experienced and you will get a lot from listening to her explain some therapies that maybe, you haven't considered yet.  She is available to privately consult and although, she is based in Canada, she treats on Zoom too. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wow, this is a super inspiring story full of practical tips, inspirational wisdom and the occasional swear word!  Ben is great. He is a member of the Lovefly Lounge and so we have shared his journey with him since he joined just a few months ago. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia #panic Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cazz is a fan of Lovefly and was desperate to overcome her fear of flying - especially living in Australia adds an extra travel by air pressure!  Full of practical tips and things that Cazz used to be able to fly to Japan and with the even more extra pressure of being a parent and not wanting to pass on the fear. Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #flyingwithout fear #anxiety #aviation #lovefly #pilots #turbulence #claustrophobia Intro and outro music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mark is a member of the Lovefly community, consuming podcasts and using hypnotherapy to help with his fear of flying.  He tells us how he literally left his partner to go on holiday without him in October 2024. Four months later, he took a flight and was a changed person. Listen to how he did that.  Lovefly Courses  FB - Lovefly Insta @loveflyhelp #fearofflying #lovefly #flyingwithoutfear #anxiety #pilots   Intro Music 'Fearless' Daniel King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.