Virgin Atlantic Airways recently announced a new iPhone application to help reduce anxiety in people who are scared of flying, according to a news release from Reuters.com.

The application is another addition to the international airline's innovative "Flying without Fear" course. The course, which includes a classroom session with a pilot, therapist and relaxation tools, is designed to assist passengers in overcoming their fear of flying, according to the company's Web site.

Donald Saucier, associate professor of psychology, said control issues are often a major factor in an individual's development of aviophobia, the fear of flying.

"I think there's a lot of lack of familiarity and control that goes into that," Saucier said. "You're not flying the plane. For instance, the chances of being killed in a car accident are much higher than the chances of being killed in a plane crash, but you're the one driving the car, so you think that you have control over that."

One way to increase a sense of control in passengers is to familiarize them with the mechanics behind flight, which Saucier termed "a Freudian strategy of intellectualization as a defense mechanism."

According to Virgin Atlantic's Web site, the iPhone application contains explanations of flying an aircraft, relaxation exercises, therapies and a panic-attack button in case of emergencies, among other features, and the course has benefited more than 98 percent of its participants.

Katie Wilson, junior in marketing, said she understands the terror shared by others, though she has yet to fly.

"I'd be scared I was going to crash," Wilson said. "I think it's just the whole lack of control."

When asked if Virgin Atlantic's new application would help squelch the fear, she said she was unsure of this particular program, but cited others who have successfully used different programs.

"I know other people who were scared, and they used things that they've looked online to do," Wilson said.

For Dustin Smith, senior in fine arts, the trepidation started once his maiden flight was underway.

"Probably the worst part was take-off," Smith said. "I had a rough idea about what was going to happen, but you never know until you experience it."

Smith also said he was uncertain of the application's effectiveness, but was impressed with the success rate touted by Virgin Atlantic.

"I don't know what it could do to help you calm down, but, if it works, it works," he said. "I'm sure it would work on me."

The Flying without Fear application can be purchased for $4.99 on an iPhone or iPod touch, or through iTunes.