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air sickness?

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Old 30th July 2008 | 15:52
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air sickness?

I've just completed lesson 7. On one or two of them I have felt air sick though. the first time I was in an AT-3 and it was very warm and I was dehydrated.

Today though I was doing climbing turns and I felt slightly ill again.

Is there anything I can do to stop this as it can easily get in way of my valuable lesson. Do you suggest eating/drinking beforehand or any other techniques?

Liam
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Old 30th July 2008 | 16:34
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Liam,I am fortunate that it has not happened to me but I understand it is important to drink before you fly so as not to be de-hydrated and maybe take some water with you,also I believe it is important to eat something light and not fly on an empty stomach,although probably the full English is not advisable!
Cool loose cotton clothing is sensible as well.
Lister
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Old 30th July 2008 | 20:06
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take some water with you
There's no way I'm having bottles of water rolling around under the pedals in any aircraft I'm flying. Best way to ensure that this doesn't happen is to make sure none get taken on board at all.
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Old 30th July 2008 | 20:16
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Try and get the fresh air vent blowing gently into your face.
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Old 30th July 2008 | 20:47
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I had the same problem early on in my training. I used to think that not eating was the best plan. It really isn't! As others have said, it's very important to make sure that you have eaten (I found a couple of hours earlier was best and something quite light).

Plenty of water beforehand (and during if your instructor will allow).

All the air vents open full.

Try extra strong mints. Helped me feel less sick.

Don't let it worry you. Worrying about it made me feel worse. It is very likely to pass. Just relax and enjoy yourself.
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Old 30th July 2008 | 21:30
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From: The Burrow, N53:48:02 W1:48:57, The Tin Tent - EGBS, EGBO
Try ginger tea, ginger tablets or crystallised ginger - it's approved for use by pregnant mums so is unlikely to do much harm. Alternatively try some of those pressure bands.
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Old 30th July 2008 | 23:13
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The cure for air sickness is repeated exposure to it. I suffered terribly for the first 12 hours or so before it tailed off, which it WILL do if you just endure it!
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Old 30th July 2008 | 23:22
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Eat lotsa food mate, seriously!

The flying I do is mainly low level and rough as guts so I eat a big meal before flying. Something a P-3C crewman told me and it works wonders. Give it a shot.

The more food in your belly, the better you fly.

Also, just keep your heap on the horizon and get some ventilation in the cabin.

You'll be right
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Old 31st July 2008 | 19:38
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Hi,

I had big problems when I started flying could only last about 30 mins then instructor would have to take the controls, at one point I was gonna quit.
Now I only have 20 hrs towards my PPL but I have tried eating lots before going up and have also tried going up with an empty stomach. For me I have a big meal about 2 hrs before then 45 mins before I eat a flapjack. Touch wood the last 8 hrs have been fine. One more thing that is a must, dont leave it more than 2 weeks between lessons, the more you fly the better it gets didn't believe it myself but its working for me.

J
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Old 1st August 2008 | 01:13
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From: Tasmania, Australia.
Sea Bands.

I have / had a deal of problems with acceptence of turbulence. I got to a stage where I could not or would not fly solo, although I have a ppl and been flying since 1973.It got so bad I was scared to do circuits on all but total calm days. I started having a bit to eat a couple of hours before a flight, and on the advice of an ex RAAF instructor had an apple about an hour before flying. Apparently the acid in the apple has a neuterlising effect on stomach your acid, and so lessens the effect of motion sickness.
I also found by wearing sea bands, designed to stop sea sickness, again a motion problem, helped a great deal. Ginger is good, plus a herbal calmer called valerian, no side affects, just helps lower the worry factor. I find if I have to do a long flight in a comercial aircraft all of the above seems to help.
I have been flying solo lately, but yet to venture out of the 'safty of the circuit area'. It is probably all physco-sematic! (all in the head)
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Old 1st August 2008 | 06:18
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Not sure about eating LOADS of food, but some food, yes. Don't skip breakfast and don't show up at the airfield fuelled only on coffee.
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Old 1st August 2008 | 08:13
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Always keep your eyes on the horizon as far as possible even in step turns and climbing/descending turns - apart from an instrument scan of course - moving your head too quickly and having your eyes dart about confuses your brain. You middle ear is being stuffed by the changing forces - so you eyes and brain need to know which is up and which is down.

Well that's what I did - 30 years ago.

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Old 1st August 2008 | 11:49
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I think the business of whether to, and what to eat is a complete red herrring ( especially if you have in fact been eating herrings...)

I believe this is a neurological problem not a gastroenterology problem. Your brain and vestibular apparatus and motion sensors are receiving confusing messages. As I said before the way to deal with the problem is repeated exposure. It will go away and stay away unless of course you have lengthy spells away from flying
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Old 1st August 2008 | 19:51
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Theres no need to eat anything but from my experience a nice choclate milkshake always settled the stomach as well as giving you an energy boost which just helps improve your flying
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Old 1st August 2008 | 20:37
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Ohh that's just nasty!! Better out than in then eh?
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Old 1st August 2008 | 23:37
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taking a rennie always settles any stomach upset i've ever felt.
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Old 2nd August 2008 | 20:28
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From: ESGP
I've had some problems with motion sickness during my training too. Climbing/descending turns and turbulence often made me feel sick. Make sure you've eaten, bring water, make sure that you have enough time before flying to do all your checks as that will usually calm you down.
One of my instructors told me that he used to have big problems with motion sickness during his PPL-training he even threw up a couple of times but now he can sit in the right hand seat all day long, so exposure really does the trick fine!
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Old 2nd August 2008 | 22:00
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We copped some serious turbulence yesterday for at least 4 out of the 6 hours that we flew. I started to feel pretty ordinary about an hour and a half out of our destination so I got into a bacon and egg toastie. Took twice as long to eat while getting thrown around but it eased my stomach. You don't want to eat or even think about food when you're feeling like this and it might not work for everyone, but try getting something decent in your stomach could settle it enough to get your mind back on the job.
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Old 3rd August 2008 | 08:01
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Unhappy a previous suggestion . . . . . . . .

You don't want to eat or even think about food when you're feeling like this
How about the remedy suggested elsewhere ? ie 2 x Phenergan 30 mins prior to flight.


Hopefully the soporific effect would be working at maximum efficacy !
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Old 3rd August 2008 | 11:19
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From: Desert
Eat some bananas...

At least they taste the same on the way up as they did on the way down!!!
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