Prone to airsickness.
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Prone to airsickness.
Hi,
I'm a soon to be pilot trainee for an undisclosed air force and will be sent for air screening within 6-8 months time. The purpose of this air screening is to weed out those who are AIRSICK, and make sure that you have the RIGHT STUFF to continue training.
It will consist of basic flying and aerobatics all in 15 sorties.
I have 15 hours on a light aircraft prior, but HOWEVER towards the end of of my 15 hours. I was air sick for 3 continuous flights. It's highly unusual to throw up at such a late stage of flying as normally the body would have already adapted.
The first time I threw up, it could be attributed to lack of rest and a proper meal before the flight. However ever since I threw up, I find that my body became super susceptible to motion sickness be it on a car or roller coaster. Almost seems as though my tolerance to motion sickness had reset to 0.
I've been reading up on a lot on how to beat airsickness and I find it not feasible at all due to me being in the air force using tax payer's money to train, they would not hesitate to 'chop' me if I throw up during my first 2 sorties so there isn't really much choices for me.
Hence, I'm here to seek help on how to deal with it and whether you guys can provide me some expert opinion on how to resolve this matter naturally or have any homemade remedy to help deal with this. Medication is definitely out of question as it is not allowed and I also want my body to adapt the quickest naturally.
Also if there're any exercises I can practise and work on before I start flying to help fix this problem. Unfortunately they don't offer any air sickness prevention programs like the RAF or USAF. You puke, you're out.
I also understand from the seniors that the instructors will be really aggressive with aircraft during the first few sorties to determine your tolerance to air sickness. Hence there isn't really a choice of flying more to adapt, throwing up the first flight or subsequently will almost surely mean you can get the 'chop' ride the next flight.
It has been a dream for me fly since young and I really wouldn't want it to be taken away from me, just because of air sickness.
I'm a soon to be pilot trainee for an undisclosed air force and will be sent for air screening within 6-8 months time. The purpose of this air screening is to weed out those who are AIRSICK, and make sure that you have the RIGHT STUFF to continue training.
It will consist of basic flying and aerobatics all in 15 sorties.
I have 15 hours on a light aircraft prior, but HOWEVER towards the end of of my 15 hours. I was air sick for 3 continuous flights. It's highly unusual to throw up at such a late stage of flying as normally the body would have already adapted.
The first time I threw up, it could be attributed to lack of rest and a proper meal before the flight. However ever since I threw up, I find that my body became super susceptible to motion sickness be it on a car or roller coaster. Almost seems as though my tolerance to motion sickness had reset to 0.
I've been reading up on a lot on how to beat airsickness and I find it not feasible at all due to me being in the air force using tax payer's money to train, they would not hesitate to 'chop' me if I throw up during my first 2 sorties so there isn't really much choices for me.
Hence, I'm here to seek help on how to deal with it and whether you guys can provide me some expert opinion on how to resolve this matter naturally or have any homemade remedy to help deal with this. Medication is definitely out of question as it is not allowed and I also want my body to adapt the quickest naturally.
Also if there're any exercises I can practise and work on before I start flying to help fix this problem. Unfortunately they don't offer any air sickness prevention programs like the RAF or USAF. You puke, you're out.
I also understand from the seniors that the instructors will be really aggressive with aircraft during the first few sorties to determine your tolerance to air sickness. Hence there isn't really a choice of flying more to adapt, throwing up the first flight or subsequently will almost surely mean you can get the 'chop' ride the next flight.
It has been a dream for me fly since young and I really wouldn't want it to be taken away from me, just because of air sickness.
Last edited by Renzowan; 30th Mar 2014 at 20:10.
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Never fly on an empty stomach. Ginger sometimes helps as a natural remedy / preventative. Also allowing yourself to become worked up about it can make it worse. If you do feel less than perfect, remember to breathe slowly and if necessary look at a blank field. An instructor I knew used to say to look at the bottom of a sick bag as a blank field. The real reason was so students would be ready with the bag, but it's amazing how often this worked as a preventative. Opening air vents and you doing the flying can help.
There is also nothing wrong with asking the instructor to fly straight for a minute as well. If you recognise the feeling way before it's a problem, you can manage it much better without embarrassment. I am sure the instructor would rather you demonstrated this self awareness and willingness to build tolerance than for you and him to have an unpleasant time.
There is also nothing wrong with asking the instructor to fly straight for a minute as well. If you recognise the feeling way before it's a problem, you can manage it much better without embarrassment. I am sure the instructor would rather you demonstrated this self awareness and willingness to build tolerance than for you and him to have an unpleasant time.
Go Fly Aerobatics
Yes, the ginger helps as well as a moderate meal. Bananas are recommended as it is rumored they taste the same going up as going down.
Then go fly aerobatics if you can find an instructor and have the money. Start with short sessions.
Early in the season in gliders I have to take it easy in thermals until my stomach hardens. If you have to use a sick bag, you feel better after.
If rollercoasters make you sick, do it until you stop getting sick -- likely much cheaper than aerobatic instruction.
Start easy and work your way up.
It is possible to get a bout of vestibular labyrinthitis which can take a few days to go away.
If it's not going away and you are having disturbances in normal daily life, it could be the onset of Meniere's syndrome which is very bad news to a pilot.
Then go fly aerobatics if you can find an instructor and have the money. Start with short sessions.
Early in the season in gliders I have to take it easy in thermals until my stomach hardens. If you have to use a sick bag, you feel better after.
If rollercoasters make you sick, do it until you stop getting sick -- likely much cheaper than aerobatic instruction.
Start easy and work your way up.
It is possible to get a bout of vestibular labyrinthitis which can take a few days to go away.
If it's not going away and you are having disturbances in normal daily life, it could be the onset of Meniere's syndrome which is very bad news to a pilot.
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Hi guys. Thank you for what you have to offer so far 
Yes, I'll definitely be incorporating ginger tea into my daily meals and drink prior flights..
Unfortunately, in my country, there isn't any aerobatics at all in GA. I'm from a really small country in Asia where our air force operates the F-16 and F-15 with numerous detachments around the world *hint*
Also I didn't had to pay for my 15 flights before, and I've operated the aircraft under the student pilot capacity. Hence such opportunities are very hard to come by for me.
Ever since flying, I'm not motion sick in the sense that I'll throw up whenever I'm in a vehicle, but you do feel the effects coming over a period of time and it has never happened before I was airsick at all. My body just became super sensitive to motion sickness since.
I'll be definitely giving roller coasters a shot though but probably on a not so regular basis, as the theme park in my country is really expensive to begin with.
Just to share with you guys some of the rather unorthodox plans I'm adopting now.
-A healthy body is a healthy mind, daily 3km run for general well being.
-Twice weekly swim in the WAVE POOL, after spending time in a wave pool you do feel a bit of motion sickness and I'm using that to help readapt.
-Desensitization, as I do not have the luxury of a Barany chair. Currently using my office chair at home to spin myself in circles to help desensitize my inner ear.
I'm grateful for what you guys have to offer me so far. Please do not stop, continue sharing any meaningful insights and tips you've got to offer.
Yes, I'll definitely be incorporating ginger tea into my daily meals and drink prior flights..
Unfortunately, in my country, there isn't any aerobatics at all in GA. I'm from a really small country in Asia where our air force operates the F-16 and F-15 with numerous detachments around the world *hint*
Also I didn't had to pay for my 15 flights before, and I've operated the aircraft under the student pilot capacity. Hence such opportunities are very hard to come by for me.
Ever since flying, I'm not motion sick in the sense that I'll throw up whenever I'm in a vehicle, but you do feel the effects coming over a period of time and it has never happened before I was airsick at all. My body just became super sensitive to motion sickness since.
I'll be definitely giving roller coasters a shot though but probably on a not so regular basis, as the theme park in my country is really expensive to begin with.
Just to share with you guys some of the rather unorthodox plans I'm adopting now.
-A healthy body is a healthy mind, daily 3km run for general well being.
-Twice weekly swim in the WAVE POOL, after spending time in a wave pool you do feel a bit of motion sickness and I'm using that to help readapt.
-Desensitization, as I do not have the luxury of a Barany chair. Currently using my office chair at home to spin myself in circles to help desensitize my inner ear.
I'm grateful for what you guys have to offer me so far. Please do not stop, continue sharing any meaningful insights and tips you've got to offer.
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Perhaps Antihistamines can help.
Histamine ( increases in blood if you suffer from allergies) plays a role in sea sickness/motion sickness. I have the same problem on bord of ships (or in roller coasters or sometimes in cars, if I donīt drive myself), but not, if I take h1 (Histamine)-blockers (Loratadine).
Helpful substances are scopolamine (as patches) or antihistamines.
Loratadine should be allowed to pilots, it should not have sedative effects, according to a clinical study (see below).
You may read more here:
Effects of a single dose of loratadine o... [Am J Rhinol. 1997 Jan-Feb] - PubMed - NCBI
Histamine ( increases in blood if you suffer from allergies) plays a role in sea sickness/motion sickness. I have the same problem on bord of ships (or in roller coasters or sometimes in cars, if I donīt drive myself), but not, if I take h1 (Histamine)-blockers (Loratadine).
Helpful substances are scopolamine (as patches) or antihistamines.
Loratadine should be allowed to pilots, it should not have sedative effects, according to a clinical study (see below).
You may read more here:
Effects of a single dose of loratadine o... [Am J Rhinol. 1997 Jan-Feb] - PubMed - NCBI
Last edited by Bad medicine; 13th Apr 2014 at 05:57. Reason: Removed commercial link
I get sick riding in cars, boats airplanes and carnival rides. I also am a retired Air Force pilot and airline pilot. As long as my hand is on the controls I am fine. Just a terrible passenger. I vomited 12 times in my first 6 flights in pilot training. I just learned to deal with it.
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As one who has had to medically manage aircrew with airsickness
, as well as having had the problem myself at the start of basic RAF flying training, I came up with a few rules of thumb. The first is that you keep yourself as physically fit as possible and keep alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking to the minimum - both affect the balance organs in the middle ear. Eat sensibly - nothing too rich, and little and often rather than big meals infrequently. Keep caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee, tea and cool drinks to a minimum. Try and get into regular habits of sleep so that you wake up in the morning bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The psychological approach is most important as it is a vicious circle. The more you dwell on your apprehensions, the more likely it is to happen. Try to cultivate a positive outlook. It might help to remember that your instructors have seen it all before, and might even have had the same problem themselves. When I had a recurrence of the problem for a few sorties during Operational Conversion to day fighter/ground attack where we seemed to spend more time upside down than the right way up, I found that it helped to say "Do you mind if I fly it for a bit?" That usually worked as the instructor would not appreciate the product of a technicolor yawn sprayed all over him. Also, when you go on your course try o ensure that you are in current flying status if possible. That's about it. Good luck!
, as well as having had the problem myself at the start of basic RAF flying training, I came up with a few rules of thumb. The first is that you keep yourself as physically fit as possible and keep alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking to the minimum - both affect the balance organs in the middle ear. Eat sensibly - nothing too rich, and little and often rather than big meals infrequently. Keep caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee, tea and cool drinks to a minimum. Try and get into regular habits of sleep so that you wake up in the morning bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The psychological approach is most important as it is a vicious circle. The more you dwell on your apprehensions, the more likely it is to happen. Try to cultivate a positive outlook. It might help to remember that your instructors have seen it all before, and might even have had the same problem themselves. When I had a recurrence of the problem for a few sorties during Operational Conversion to day fighter/ground attack where we seemed to spend more time upside down than the right way up, I found that it helped to say "Do you mind if I fly it for a bit?" That usually worked as the instructor would not appreciate the product of a technicolor yawn sprayed all over him. Also, when you go on your course try o ensure that you are in current flying status if possible. That's about it. Good luck!
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One more vote for ginger; I took ginger capsules for my initial lessons after feeling slightly uneasy stomach-wise during my first lesson. Significant difference, no worries at all about becoming airsick, and unlike real medication, this stuff is OK for flyers. Also heard that large doses of vitamine C are helpful, but never tried that myself.
