Feature: Argentine Airlines using flight simulators to fight fear of flying

Nervous about an upcoming flight? Head on over to the Center for Pilot Training (Cefepra) at Ezeiza International Airport, which serves the capital Buenos Aires.

Flight simulators are not just for pilots in training anymore. Argentine Airlines (Aerolineas Argentinas) is using simulators to help passengers overcome their fear of flying.

At the center, an interdisciplinary group, including cabin crew members, help people who are reluctant to get on a plane get over their fear by passing on the information and training they received as professionals.

"The program, called 'Go ahead and fly' is for people who have a certain apprehension about flying -- fears, phobias, whatever terrifies you and prevents you from enjoying the flight," instructor Marcela Carranza, head of the passenger cabin crew, told Xinhua.

"We provide courses, information, all of the training that we receive," said Carranza.

The goal of the free five-hour program, which is offered twice a month, from April to November, is to have potentially nervous passengers experience a more tranquil flight.

Pablo Fernandez Fayolle, director of Cefepra, said: "the program creates a very good connection between the staff, the training center, Argentine Airlines and the participants.

"Afterwards we get very warm, very emotional emails about their flights," Fernandez said of the participants in the program. "They send us photos of themselves about to get on a plane."

So far, more than 700 people have taken the workshop, and another 460 are on the waiting list.

Martin, whose fear of flying led him to take the course, told Xinhua "I came very motivated by a longtime fear of flying."

"They seem to me to be highly trained personnel ... they answered all our questions, all our inquiries," he said.

According to the website Flyfright.com, "many people have a deeply ingrained fear of flying" and "the best weapon against fear is knowledge."

The top five concerns of people afraid of plane travel are: mechanical problems while in flight, bad weather causing turbulence, mechanical problems while on the ground, flying at night and flying over bodies of water, the website said. Enditem