A flight simulator near Exeter has opened in a bid to help cure people of their fears of flying - and train the next generation of airline pilots.
The Virtual Jet Centre in Chudleigh is the brainchild of former commercial airline pilot Captain Andy Wilkins.
The £100,000 start-up business, which employs eight people, offers enthusiasts, professionals and novices the chance to experience flying a Boeing 737-800 aircraft using a state-of-the-art computer simulator.
The centre also boasts a cabin section equipped with aircraft sounds to mimic what will be heard on a typical flight to help people suffering with Pteromerhanophobia - or fear of flying.
Cpt Wilkins who has 30-years' experience flying Boeing and Airbus passenger planes and training other pilots decided to open the flight simulator to share his passion for flying and help cure people of their phobias.
As part of this unique approach to cure the fear of flying, Cpt Wilkins offers one-to-one sessions in which people can talk about their individual fears, offering an insight into the phobia in a private setting.
The potential for medical and psychological studies has not been lost on the University of Exeter which has already approached Cpt Wilkins.
He said: "I had an opportunity to change career after flying airliners for 20 years. I've always loved planes, flying and training others. I've a passion about what makes some people scared of flying.
"I want to share my passion and make a difference so I decided to set up my own flight simulator."
The business, which opened its doors nine weeks ago has already run 300 flight hours and offered many flight fear courses and one-to-one sessions.
Cpt Wilkins said: "This simulator has already made an amazing difference. I had one person who was scared of flying who told they are excited about flying. This is so gratifying."
The 55-year-old father-of-one from Okehampton said he was already to expand the business with a second simulator. The Virtual Jet Centre is expected to employ four more staff over the coning months and generate £100,000 turnover in its first year.
The start-up was supported by a £60,000 loan from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking under the Government-backed Funding for Lending Scheme which enabled Andy to buy the simulator parts and build the technology.
Cpt Wilkins was also supported through a £45,000 grant from the Rural Economy Grant (REG) programme, which further helped the business to get up and running.
Working closely with another local business, SF Simulation based in Totnes, Cpt Wilkins was able to build the simulator and has since linked up with Exeter University which is interested in studying the Virtual Jet Centre's fear of flying classes.
Devon County Council has supported the business and expects it to bring just under £200,000 to the local economy over the next four years.
Elsa Hutchings, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: "We saw Andy's passion and determination and it is great to see the final product.
"The centre is not only attracting trainee pilots but also tourism which can only be a good thing for the local area."
