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Old 17th May 2011, 13:15
  #13 (permalink)  
charlies angel
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Paperplanes.
Going up in an aeroplane is not a natural thing for our body to cope with!!

As an RAF FJ pilot we used to go on annual/regular Aviation Medicine courses to learn about ( but,more importantly how to cope with) all sorts of weird and wonderful effects on the body/balance/ears/eyes flying causes.
Most of your symptoms seem to be in the "break off phenomenon" or "pyramid illusion" area (google them) and lost depth perception due to having nothing to focus on.

It is extremely common on high level transits (+45000') to have to move your eyes " in and out " to close objects and far objects so as not to suffer from vertigo or " open field myopia " (google) as we seem to be sat on a pyramid not moving.
The brain can interpret this lack of movement/depth as alarming to say the least and will cause anxiety and fear to well up.

Honestly until you get used to it my advice would be to close your eyes for a few seconds and this will help to re-orientate your brain/eyes and ears.
Dont be too alarmed.Go fly with an instructor and use the time to notice the strange effects on your body that flying induces.
Once they are in your awareness you'll be just fine
ps Even Typhoon drivers get scared sometimes
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