A fear of flying expert has explained why he always listens to the safety briefing on planes despite having been on hundreds of flights.
Paul Tizzard has helped 30,000 people overcome their plane related terror and get up in the air during his 25 years of work as a flying coach with Virgin Atlantic.
The former pilot does not suffer from any aviation-related anxiety himself, but does take the pursuit very seriously.
Whenever he finds himself on a commercial jet he makes sure to listen to the safety briefing and encourages others to do the same.
"I think it is important to listen to the security briefing," he told The Mirror. "Cabin crew and most aircraft types tend to when they're flying, especially if they're on a different aircraft to their usual one.
"I want to know how far I am from the exits and where the emergency doors are.
"I'd be the same if I went to the theatre. I think there is no harm in being prepared. I'd also want to know what type of door it is and how to open it."
He added: "It helps to get the mind alert."
While it is always better to listen in to the pre-flight announcement and be as well informed as possible, if you do find yourself drifting off or distracted by your phone, then Paul says you shouldn't worry too much.
"All cabin crew are trained to evacuate all aircraft with half the doors not working," he said.
"There is a lot of redundancy built into the system. If there was an issue, you would get two more briefings and positive affirmative commands if there is a problem."
For many people who are scared of flying, losing a sense of control and the strange noises aircraft make are contributing factors to their terror.
Paul provides some of the people he works with with a rundown of what exactly they're like to hear during the course of their flight.
"The main ones take place during take off while you have that feeling of being pushed back into your seats," Paul told The Mirror.
"The whirring noise of flaps moving in and out of the wing, which can be worrying when you look out and see gaps in the slats.
"Then there is the sound of the undercarriage coming up at 15,000 feet after take off, then the nose dips slightly and the engine goes quieter.
"That feels like the plane is sinking and the engine is turning off, but actually it's still climbing, just at 12 or 11 degrees rather than 15. That is a classic."
