Who we are
We believe that everyone deserves to feel understood and supported, and we are here to offer the knowledge and guidance to help you finally fly with confidence.
Why you can trust us
Years of dedication, global recognition, and continuous learning from the world's leading experts
At the UN Summit in Geneva in 2019
With Prof. Stephen Porges and Captain Tom Bunn, discussing the development of new therapeutic protocols
Letter of recommendation from VALK
Official letter from United Nations
Our approach
Our approach contains a unique combination of knowledge: aviation and psychological.
Aviation knowledge
Why aviation knowledge matters
To overcome fear of flying, it is important to understand aviation at a basic level. Not to become a pilot, but to stop filling the unknown with imagination. When you clearly understand what happens during takeoff, turbulence, and landing, there are no catastrophic fantasies left in your mind. You begin to get to know the normal processes of flight and feel more confident on board.
Psychological knowledge
Why psychological knowledge matters
Psychological knowledge is also important because the fear of flying is not about airplanes - it is how your nervous system responds due to early experiences. When you understand how your nervous system works and why this fear arises, your feelings become less frightening. Learning how to help your mind and body during the flight makes a big difference.
Real aviation experience
This aviation knowledge is grounded in real aviation experience
Alex brings over 31 years in aviation. He has been in the sky since the age of 19 and has accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours.
He worked as a commercial pilot for an Israeli airline, operating regular passenger flights.
Today, he flies a Cirrus - a light aircraft.
This experience allows him to understand flight not from books or simulators, but from the inside - through the eyes and body of the person at the controls.
Psychological knowledge
We use a combination of top-down and bottom-up strategies
Strategies
Cognitive & educational
Cognitive restructuring
Identifying and challenging irrational beliefs about flight safety
Psychoeducation
Building aviation understanding that calms mild anxiety and prepares you for flight
Exposure therapy
Gradual, controlled exposure to flight-related stimuli
Strategies
Somatic & trauma-informed
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Releasing stored trauma from the nervous system
EMDR therapy
Processing traumatic memories that fuel flight anxiety
Polyvagal-informed techniques
Regulating the autonomic nervous system for calm
Brainspotting
Accessing and processing subcortical trauma
The knowledge and methods Alex shares aren't just based on his own insights (though some are), but are grounded in over 30 years of anxiety research by some of the world's leading psychotherapists. Many of them have been his mentors — including Dr. Jonice Webb (USA), Dr. Richard Ohring (Israel), Dr. Peter Levine (creator of Somatic Experiencing), and Prof. Stephen Porges (author of the Polyvagal Theory).
Helping people fly confidently since 2008
16 000+ fearful flyers helped
Since 2008, Alex has supported fearful flyers through personal therapy and online courses. Many people have experienced major changes after the course, not only in their relationship with flying, but also with anxiety in general.
Trusted by the United Nations
In December 2019, Alex was invited to present at the United Nations Office in Geneva, delivering lectures on understanding and managing fear of flying to UNOG staff, diplomats, and OCHA field personnel working in remote and challenging locations worldwide.
Featured Articles on Alex Gervash's Expertise and Contributions
APEX Experience Magazine
"APEX in Profile: Alex Gervash"
Highlights Alex's extensive experience and unique dual expertise as both a professional pilot and psychologist specializing in fear of flying.
Read the articleBusiness Insider
"A pilot with 22 years of experience created an app to help people conquer their fear of flying"
This article details Alex's journey in creating SkyGuru and his broader work to assist people with fear of flying.
Read the articleSkyEagle Aviation Academy
"Overcoming Fear of Flying Through Flying"
Discusses Alex's therapeutic approach using real flying experiences to help clients confront and overcome their flight-related anxiety.
Read the articleCondé Nast Traveler
"New App SkyGuru Promises Help for Nervous Fliers"
Discusses how SkyGuru offers real-time insights into flight processes, assisting passengers in managing their anxieties.
Read the articleSmithsonian Magazine
"Can This App Cure Your Fear of Flying?"
Examines SkyGuru's use of smartphone sensors to provide real-time data and explanations during flights, effectively easing passengers' anxiety.
Read the articleVice
"Aviophobes, Rejoice: This App Could Get You Through Your Next Flight"
Highlights SkyGuru's effectiveness in calming anxious travelers by explaining in-flight events even in airplane mode.
Read the articleReady to Overcome Your Fear?
Start your journey towards confident, comfortable flying with Alex Gervash