Effects of G forces

[merlinn]

Hi Guys and Girls,


Just enquiring as to the effects of G forces on us when being a passenger in aircraft. I recently went for a lesson after not flying for about 3 months and noticed quiet an overwhelming feeling when the instructor started cranking out 45 to 60 degree turns, this was somewhat unexpected and a little disorientating for the first few seconds, before my body or brain adapted. I have experienced this on rollercoasters before, but if I am in control of something eg not a passive passenger there seems to to be no problem, is this normal?

[AussieNick]

hey mate,

yes it is. the body builds up a tolerance to "g" the more you do it. so since you said you'd had a bit of time off from flying, it is perfectly normal to feel a bit strange as your body readapts.

[kingRB]

yes - after not flying for about 7 years, on one of my first flights back when the instructor asked me to perform a 60 degree turn I just about sh*t myself from how strong the effects of G felt.

I have now pulled up to +6 G repeatedly in an aerobatic aircraft some 12 months later and loving it :)

[Hempy]

Short fat guys with high blood pressure...no worries. Tall skinny guys who run a lot, out like a light.

[Ando1Bar]

noticed quiet an overwhelming feeling when the instructor started cranking out 45 to 60 degree turns, this was somewhat unexpected and a little disorientating for the first few seconds

There's nothing like responsible instructing...

I might not be getting the full story but it sounds like your instructor was showing off.

[FlareHighLandLong]

G'day Merlinn,

that's absolutely normal. I've seen more than one senior and very current captain puke while watching others fly a range of manouvers. I know of a number of times when I have been able to fly a bunch of potentially challenging stuff and feel fine before feeling crap watching some fairly simple and predictable steep turns from the other pilot.

I am not entirely sure of the theory, but I believe that there are two things helping when you are the one flying: firstly, you are concentrating more, and this helps distract you from focussing on the discomfort. Secondly, because it is you manipulating the controls, you can anticipate the onset of G and roll etc. better, so you do not feel so discombobulated.

Try making sure you keep a good lookout for the horizon, this will help your vestibular system keep itself orientated better.

Don't worry, a couple of flights back in and you'll be loving it again:ok:

[merlinn]

Thanks for your advice everyone, I was getting a little worried thinking there was something not quiet right for a while.

"There's nothing like responsible instructing..."

Instructor definately wasn't showing off, I just happened to look at the turn indicator and see it was well past the medium level turn and was wondering why the hell I felt so terrible:yuk:

Time to get back into it and condition the body

[b_sta]

You had to look at the turn coordinator to realise you were in a steep bank?

[SystemsAreGo]

If you find yourself feeling lightheaded again, tense all the muscles from you toes and work up to your abdominal over the course of a second or two.

Negative G.. your :mad:'d

[Masif Eego]

tense all the muscles from you toes and work up to your abdominal

yep do that ....but the problem for me is when I get to the abdominals..........:O.........maybe I'm just getting old..........

anyway, most punters accept my version of the event - "that damn 100LL jeez it gives off a dreadful smell sometimes just like that horrible little jap car in front when you stopped at the lights"

it's for me worked so far ..........

[mcgrath50]

Did that last week!

Odly enough when doing that or aerobatics, I feel fine during the manouvers but as soon as we settle back to straight and level I then start to feel the effects, can anyone explain that?

[Runaway Gun]

Adrenaline? Excitement?

Just do it a few more times, and your body/mind will adapt.

[slackie]

It's surprising how quickly G Tolerance is lost...speaking from experience!!!:\ Flew aeros for the first time in over 3 months a couple of weeks ago and was puffing and panting like the amateur I am after only a very few minutes!!!

[Runaway Gun]

But Slackie, that big heavy Pitts was hard to push out of the hangar huh?

Guys, you can also do regular exercise to help your G-tolerance. Avoid extreme aerobics like long distance running, and concentrate more on strength training exercises. If you don't do weight training, then consider pushups, situps, squats and so on. Seriously, it all helps.

And lastly, don't avoid eating before flying. You have to keep up your blood sugar levels, and have some energy to burn - and it helps your thinking too.

[mcgrath50]

Great advice Runaway thank you!

[Unusual-Attitude]

'Convienience' bags! What a mis-nomer!

Nothing but 'inconveinience' (to the pilot), particularly if pax misses! Not really that great even if they do get it all in there! :yuk:

As for getting used to it...just do it lots.:ok:

So why do 'sik sacks' have a picture of some sort of 'mischievous elf' running about holding a full bag of chunder?!

Hey, new thread...'Best honk bags'!? :E

[sthaussiepilot]

As runway said about blood sugar, I know a guy who used to have an Iced Coffee and a chocolate doughnut about half an hour or so before Aerobatics to keep his blood sugar up, and as he was walking out to the A/C he'd usually be finishing a bottle of coke... but was by no means "large"

I think Milk was a bad choice though ;)