In 1980 Captain Tom started working with the creators of the first fear of flying courses which were run since 1975.
SOAR was started only a few years later in 1982.
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Read more about Captain Tom Bunn & his background
After graduating from Wake Forest University in psychology, Captain Tom entered the U.S. Air Force. Number one in his class when he got his wings in 1960, he was given his choice of assignments, and chose to fly the Air Force's first supersonic jet fighter, the F-100.
USAF F-100 as flown by Captain Tom Bunn
Captain Tom Bunn & his class with USAF F-100
He served from 1961 until 1965 with the 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany flying the F-100 and F-105. In addition to flying, he did accident investigation and developed a safety device for the F-100.
USAF F-105 as flown by Captain Tom Bunn
While in Germany, Captain Tom raced a Lola Mk5 Formula 3 at the Nurburgring, Zolder, Zandvordt, and Rouen. When returning to the U.S., he converted the car to SCCA Formula C specifications, and won a U.S. National Championship in 1965.
Lola Racing Car was owned and driven by Captain Tom Bunn (recent photo)
Lola Racing Car driven by Captain Tom Bunn at Nurburgring Ring, Germany
From 1965 until 1986, he flew DC-8s, 707s, and 747s internationally with Pan Am.
Boeing 707 like the one Captain Tom flew. This was America's first commercial jet airliner. (Photo Author: RuthAS)
DC-8 as flown by Captain Tom Bunn
From 1986 until 1996, he flew 747s, 757s and 767s at United Airlines.
Boeing 757 as flown by Captain Tom Bunn
Boeing 767 as flown by Captain Tom Bunn
The first fear of flying program was started at Pan Am by Captain Truman "Slim" Cummings. Captain Tom worked with him on that program until founding SOAR in 1982 to develop more effective methods for dealing with flight problems. This led to graduate school at Fordham University where he earned a Masters Degree with top honors, and several years of postgraduate study at the Gestalt Center Of Long Island, the New York Training Institute For Neurolinguistic Programming, and The Masterson Institute. He was licensed as a therapist in 1990.
Boeing 747 as flown by Captain Tom Bunn
Other activities include Ski Patrol, SCUBA diving, and developing and patenting a retractable ski binding.