stressmerchant
23rd Apr 2007, 07:50
Hi all
I had an odd experience at the weekend while flying aerobatics, and would appreciate any input the experts are able to give.
I was flying a fairly basic sequence. I came out of a reverse half-cuban (45 degree climb, roll to inverted on climb, pull through as for a loop to horizontal flight) where I'd pulled about 4 G, with no feeling of grey-out or black-out. I levelled out, and about 2 seconds later went out like a light. Came-to about five seconds later. Initially vision returned, but I couldn't move my limbs for another second or so. I experienced ringing / buzzing noises in my ears, and my legs were shaking for a few seconds. Thereafter I felt fine, regained control (aircraft had settled into a gentle turn, level flight). I canned the rest of the sequence and landed immediately. Felt fine afterwards, although a little shaken. Looking at the recording G-meter, I'd pulled -2/+5 for the entire sequence.
I spoke to some of the experienced pilots and the field, and they suggested I'd simply "overcooked" the sequence, and was possibly not G-fit. All said they'd had similar experiences over the years, and I simply needed to improve fitness levels.
I do still have concerns over the incident. My real concern is that the incident ocurred after the G's had been released. I've felt grey-out before (never gone to complete black-out), and have pulled +8 / -4 before without losing it.
I'm in general good health, although I do feel run-down and stressed, mainly due to work pressures. A medical friend has suggested that I might be suffering from iron deficiency, and am generally unfit. I am going for some blood tests in the next few days to see if anything can be picked up. My general fitness has deteriorated, I now notice that I get short of breath pulling the plane out of the hanger.
Would a lack of general fitness cause the events describe? Can it be rectified by diet and exercise? And can any permanent damage result from the incident?
I had an odd experience at the weekend while flying aerobatics, and would appreciate any input the experts are able to give.
I was flying a fairly basic sequence. I came out of a reverse half-cuban (45 degree climb, roll to inverted on climb, pull through as for a loop to horizontal flight) where I'd pulled about 4 G, with no feeling of grey-out or black-out. I levelled out, and about 2 seconds later went out like a light. Came-to about five seconds later. Initially vision returned, but I couldn't move my limbs for another second or so. I experienced ringing / buzzing noises in my ears, and my legs were shaking for a few seconds. Thereafter I felt fine, regained control (aircraft had settled into a gentle turn, level flight). I canned the rest of the sequence and landed immediately. Felt fine afterwards, although a little shaken. Looking at the recording G-meter, I'd pulled -2/+5 for the entire sequence.
I spoke to some of the experienced pilots and the field, and they suggested I'd simply "overcooked" the sequence, and was possibly not G-fit. All said they'd had similar experiences over the years, and I simply needed to improve fitness levels.
I do still have concerns over the incident. My real concern is that the incident ocurred after the G's had been released. I've felt grey-out before (never gone to complete black-out), and have pulled +8 / -4 before without losing it.
I'm in general good health, although I do feel run-down and stressed, mainly due to work pressures. A medical friend has suggested that I might be suffering from iron deficiency, and am generally unfit. I am going for some blood tests in the next few days to see if anything can be picked up. My general fitness has deteriorated, I now notice that I get short of breath pulling the plane out of the hanger.
Would a lack of general fitness cause the events describe? Can it be rectified by diet and exercise? And can any permanent damage result from the incident?