First Flying lesson - Not what i expected
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Best advice of all get a good nights sleep
On a side note, i am a fairly big guy, 6ft and 14st. i flew in a 152 which i had fun trying to get into. Is it worth trying to have lessons in a 172 or another plane?
I agree with all of the good comments above.
Whilst I'm not personally prone to airsickness, I've worked on and off over the years as a flight test observer, and have on occasion resorted to a suitable non-drowsy motion sickness pill to help me function effectively - particularly if I have to work effectively whilst my pilot is flying aerobatic manoeuvres. It's fair game, and nothing to be ashamed of. Ditto wrist bands (which, for those with an interest in such things, act on the acupunture point "pericardium 6" I occasionally have my passengers simply massage that point with the thumb of the other hand, and it does work.)
And you adapt with time in the air.
But also, the C152 is more susceptible than most to turbulent conditions, plus small and cramped. The C172 or PA28 will both be much better in this regard, and whilst technically more expensive, if you can concentrate better in them, may actually get you to your PPL cheaper by flying a few less hours of learning.
Microlight instructors also solve this by sending solo students up with a large ballast bag in the back seat - on that sort of basis, always flying with full tanks in turbulent conditions help a bit, because it pushes the wing loading up and thus reduces the gust response. it's a small thing, but does no harm to discuss with your instructor.
Also, dress to be slightly cool rather than over-warm, and don't look at the instruments any more than the minimum you need to - that's good advice on multiple levels, including keeping a clear and comfortable head in lumpy conditions.
G
Whilst I'm not personally prone to airsickness, I've worked on and off over the years as a flight test observer, and have on occasion resorted to a suitable non-drowsy motion sickness pill to help me function effectively - particularly if I have to work effectively whilst my pilot is flying aerobatic manoeuvres. It's fair game, and nothing to be ashamed of. Ditto wrist bands (which, for those with an interest in such things, act on the acupunture point "pericardium 6" I occasionally have my passengers simply massage that point with the thumb of the other hand, and it does work.)
And you adapt with time in the air.
But also, the C152 is more susceptible than most to turbulent conditions, plus small and cramped. The C172 or PA28 will both be much better in this regard, and whilst technically more expensive, if you can concentrate better in them, may actually get you to your PPL cheaper by flying a few less hours of learning.
Microlight instructors also solve this by sending solo students up with a large ballast bag in the back seat - on that sort of basis, always flying with full tanks in turbulent conditions help a bit, because it pushes the wing loading up and thus reduces the gust response. it's a small thing, but does no harm to discuss with your instructor.
Also, dress to be slightly cool rather than over-warm, and don't look at the instruments any more than the minimum you need to - that's good advice on multiple levels, including keeping a clear and comfortable head in lumpy conditions.
G
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Genghis
I presume you get the female passengers to do this for you? Which part do they massage? can you be more specific 
Pace
I occasionally have my passengers simply massage that point with the thumb of the other hand, and it does work.)
Pace
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I echo what many of the others have said.
I remember my first flight being uncomfortably bumpy. My second flight was much, much better. Now I really enjoy my time up in the air in my C152!
I've also found this checklist useful: FAA Medical Certification / IMSAFE Checklist
I hope your initial experience hasn't put you off! It will get better the more you fly.
I think I suffer from this syndrome on many days of my life. 
I remember my first flight being uncomfortably bumpy. My second flight was much, much better. Now I really enjoy my time up in the air in my C152!
I've also found this checklist useful: FAA Medical Certification / IMSAFE Checklist
I hope your initial experience hasn't put you off! It will get better the more you fly.
Think of your mind as a computer with a graphics card with on board memory and then a far larger memory card in the computer.
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The experience hasn't put me off, especially now i have received a lot of support from you guys.
Checking through the checklist fuzzy6988 posted, i realised i hadn't mentioned to to the instructor that i was on prescription drugs, nor did i check with my doctor to make sure I was cleared to fly.
Do i need to mention this to the instructor next time, or will just checking with my doctor be ok?
Andrew
Checking through the checklist fuzzy6988 posted, i realised i hadn't mentioned to to the instructor that i was on prescription drugs, nor did i check with my doctor to make sure I was cleared to fly.
Do i need to mention this to the instructor next time, or will just checking with my doctor be ok?
Andrew
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Pretty much before you do any more flights or start your training I would try and get the medical certificate. It could be that you will not get it for health reasons etc and than you already spend money on flying.
Theses docs can also help you to check with the perscription medication and give you lots of advise.
Theses docs can also help you to check with the perscription medication and give you lots of advise.
don't know about the drugs.
I was bought a 5-hour package for my birthday and was sick on the first flight. I was too hot, had eaten a big-ish meal 1/2 an hour before flying, and was nervous. I had my thighs and stomach clenched a lot of the time. Luckily the instructor had sick bags. But I had to have another flight because I had 4 hours left!
The second flight was first thing in the morning and smooth as silk. It was an absolute joy.
So now I don't eat before I fly. Drink a bit of water beforehand. Wear a t-shirt. Ask the instructor to open the vents and get some cool air coming in. Wear shades so you don't squint and you'll enjoy the experience a lot more.
I've also been told the PA28 is a more stable aircraft, try one of those (I've never been in any other aircraft). Flights in the morning are sometimes better because the ground hasn't been heated causing the bumpy weather.
It took me about 10 hours to get over the nausea, but when the prop began spinning for the first time, i was sh*t scared. This isn't like a car!!
Good luck, flying is the best thing you can do
Andoni
I was bought a 5-hour package for my birthday and was sick on the first flight. I was too hot, had eaten a big-ish meal 1/2 an hour before flying, and was nervous. I had my thighs and stomach clenched a lot of the time. Luckily the instructor had sick bags. But I had to have another flight because I had 4 hours left!
The second flight was first thing in the morning and smooth as silk. It was an absolute joy.
So now I don't eat before I fly. Drink a bit of water beforehand. Wear a t-shirt. Ask the instructor to open the vents and get some cool air coming in. Wear shades so you don't squint and you'll enjoy the experience a lot more.
I've also been told the PA28 is a more stable aircraft, try one of those (I've never been in any other aircraft). Flights in the morning are sometimes better because the ground hasn't been heated causing the bumpy weather.
It took me about 10 hours to get over the nausea, but when the prop began spinning for the first time, i was sh*t scared. This isn't like a car!!
Good luck, flying is the best thing you can do
Andoni
Pretty much before you do any more flights or start your training I would try and get the medical certificate. It could be that you will not get it for health reasons etc and than you already spend money on flying.
Theses docs can also help you to check with the perscription medication and give you lots of advise.
Theses docs can also help you to check with the perscription medication and give you lots of advise.
Ignoring all legal issues, common sense is that you talk to your GP about it and including in your discussion whether the drugs you are taking will have any effect and whether you should tell your instructor. If in doubt, I'd tell your instructor - it's playing fair.
And as others have said, if you are going for a licence, get the official medical out the way early, to avoid annoying surprises after you've already spent a lot on training.
G
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You can tell Genghis your from the same airfield as I ... as I have heard the exact same words from someone else.
YES get the medical out of the way after your test flight. I did the same and after a few days of waiting I got the results and full steam ahead.
YES get the medical out of the way after your test flight. I did the same and after a few days of waiting I got the results and full steam ahead.
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On a side note, i am a fairly big guy, 6ft and 14st. i flew in a 152 which i had fun trying to get into. Is it worth trying to have lessons in a 172 or another plane?
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Andrew Firstly I experienced a similar problem when I first started flying but it went away within a few lessons, at the time I thought that I might be unusual and unsuited to flying but I now realise thats not the case at all. The fact that you came back before you were ill not only shows good sense but will also help you to build up your resistance (if you'd actually been sick it would be harder).
Secondly... can I ask who you had your trial lesson with? I'm surpised that no one has commented already on you being given the controls for the takeoff on your FIRST lesson!
I teach at an airfield with a 46M wide runway and still wouldn't let someone that I didn't know from Adam have the controls or even follow me through on their first lesson....
Secondly... can I ask who you had your trial lesson with? I'm surpised that no one has commented already on you being given the controls for the takeoff on your FIRST lesson!
I teach at an airfield with a 46M wide runway and still wouldn't let someone that I didn't know from Adam have the controls or even follow me through on their first lesson....
Last edited by freon1978; 21st May 2010 at 17:20.
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Instructor competition
Pace:
In my early days as an instructor at the RAC Bankstown, there was always competition amongst the instructors to teach the female students, especially in the Piper TriPacer PA- 22. The Master Switch location was at the lower section of the left hand seat ( the students seat) and when teaching the location of various switches and controls, there was always special attention to the master switch.
Tmb
In my early days as an instructor at the RAC Bankstown, there was always competition amongst the instructors to teach the female students, especially in the Piper TriPacer PA- 22. The Master Switch location was at the lower section of the left hand seat ( the students seat) and when teaching the location of various switches and controls, there was always special attention to the master switch.
Tmb
Thoughts:
- I like the PA38, but it's no better in turbulence than a C152. Fine for me, but somebody with a weak stomach and little flying experience, maybe not.
- Controls for take-off may be following through. Obvious distinction after a few lessons / years / decades of flying, but maybe not after your first.
- Screetch, just because we fly from the same airfield, doesn't necessarily mean that I ever speak to anybody there! It's just a bit of common sense.
G
- I like the PA38, but it's no better in turbulence than a C152. Fine for me, but somebody with a weak stomach and little flying experience, maybe not.
- Controls for take-off may be following through. Obvious distinction after a few lessons / years / decades of flying, but maybe not after your first.
- Screetch, just because we fly from the same airfield, doesn't necessarily mean that I ever speak to anybody there! It's just a bit of common sense.
G
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Freon1978 - The lesson was at Gloucestershire Airport. Not my local airport (mine is Biggin Hill) but it's the closest to my parents who bought me the Trial flight.
To be clear, I only had control of the yoke. I was following the instructor on the pedals and the instructor dealt with the power.
The club i will go with at Biggin Hill only has C172's so hopefully the slightly bigger plane will help, but as i stated earlier, i am sure i will get used to it quickly
Andrew
To be clear, I only had control of the yoke. I was following the instructor on the pedals and the instructor dealt with the power.
The club i will go with at Biggin Hill only has C172's so hopefully the slightly bigger plane will help, but as i stated earlier, i am sure i will get used to it quickly
Andrew
Freon1978 - The lesson was at Gloucestershire Airport. Not my local airport (mine is Biggin Hill) but it's the closest to my parents who bought me the Trial flight.
To be clear, I only had control of the yoke. I was following the instructor on the pedals and the instructor dealt with the power.
The club i will go with at Biggin Hill only has C172's so hopefully the slightly bigger plane will help, but as i stated earlier, i am sure i will get used to it quickly
Andrew
To be clear, I only had control of the yoke. I was following the instructor on the pedals and the instructor dealt with the power.
The club i will go with at Biggin Hill only has C172's so hopefully the slightly bigger plane will help, but as i stated earlier, i am sure i will get used to it quickly
Andrew
G