Fear of flying · VR in clinical practice
Specific phobia · situational subtype (flying)
Intense fear of flying. Often a mix of claustrophobia, height, and loss of control. High demand in private practice from work and family travel.
No card required. Explore the catalogue and information screens. Clinical sessions require activation.
Why VR for this phobia?
In-vivo exposure is prohibitively expensive (a practice flight). VR lets you repeat the critical sequences — takeoff, turbulence — as many times as needed with full control of the stimulus.
VR hierarchy · 5 graded levels
Each level should be completed with SUDS in the target range across at least two consecutive sessions before advancing. The most common mistake is moving up levels too fast because the scenario is so easy to change.
- 1
Airport terminal: check-in and boarding gate, no aircraft in sight
SUDS target: ≤4
- 2
Boarding and settling into the cabin, door still open
SUDS target: ≤5
- 3
Takeoff with simulated mild turbulence
SUDS target: ≤5
- 4
Cruise with moderate turbulence and cabin announcements
SUDS target: ≤4
- 5
Landing in variable weather conditions
SUDS target: ≤3
Clinical notes
Fear of flying is highly comorbid with claustrophobia (the cabin) and agoraphobia (the public airport spaces). Treat the components in sequence. The airport scenario is on the roadmap and is validated with our clinical advisor before release.
Specific contraindications
- Active peripheral vertigo
- Severe baseline cybersickness (run an SSQ before treatment)
The cockpit
23 clinician controls
Published controls for Fear of flying. Review options and requirements when preparing the session; some settings depend on scenario state.
Settings
- Flight phase — 8 levels
- Sharp jolt — one-off action
- Random jolts — on or off
- Window shade up — on or off
- Seatbelt sign — on or off
- Weather — Clear · Clouds · Rain · Storm
- Cabin lighting — Boarding · Dimmed · Night
Settings
- Motion intensity — None · Gentle · Normal
Settings
- Cabin event — 5 levels
- Fire event — one-off action
- Crew announcement — 17 levels
- Play announcement — one-off action
Settings
- Grounding audio — 5 levels
- Announcement subtitles — on or off
Settings
- Exposure preset — Gentle · Standard · Intense · Manual (clinical)
- Seat position — Window · Aisle
- Cabin occupancy — 5 levels
- Time of day — Day · Dusk · Night
- Crew voice — 5 levels
- Automatic announcements — on or off
Settings
- Calm the flight — one-off action
- Pause — on or off
- Emergency exit — one-off action
These controls describe software features. The professional determines indication, pace and when to stop.
Is Fear of flying VR a fit for your patients?
Explore the catalogue with a free account. Review the controls, equipment and session activation in a 30-minute demo, with no headset needed.
No card required. Explore the catalogue and information screens. Clinical sessions require activation.
VRET is professional clinical-support software, not a certified medical device. Supervision, indication, and application remain the responsibility of the licensed clinician in charge.