First Flying lesson - Not what i expected

[mealies]

Hi Everyone

I have been a long time lurker in these forums but I now would like some advice from you guys on what to do next. Apologies in advance for the long post.

I had a trial flight as a birthday present. |I always wanted to go on and do a PPL at some stage, so this was ideal. The flight took place on Saturday, and i was flying in a Cessna 152. Conditions were pretty sunny with a 5kt wind and cloud base at 3000ft.

I was allowed to take control for the take off, which was amazing. The problem i had was that past 500ft it was quite choppy. The instructor explained it was ideal gliding conditions and we were getting bounced by the hot air rising.

I had difficulties flying in these conditions (as you would expect) so had to hand back to the instructor. However my main problem was that the constant bouncing around was making my head spin. In the end I had to ask to cut the lesson short and fly back early. I didn't want to take the risk that i would feel ill 30 mins into the flight. That would have been bad for everyone

Now I feel if i don't go back and try again i would not be doing it justice. However if these conditions are completely normal then i will have to get used to them quick or not bother. What do you guys suggest? Is it worth me trying again?

Thanks

Andrew

[stevelup]

It was particularly bumpy on Saturday.

It certainly isn't always like that. I've flown every Saturday since September last year and last weekend definitely had the most thermals to date.

I'd definitely recommend you have another go!

[Pegpilot]

First flying lesson

Hello Mealie

I'm one of those weird gliding types that actively seek out the rough thermic air. When I started to learn, I too was inclined to a degree of nausea on lively days once I'd been in the air for more than 30 minutes or so. What I found was that ones' sensitivity to bouncing around declines over time, so that now I'm quite happy to bimble off for 4, 5 or 6 hours at a time on really quite sporting days with no ill effects at all, other than a craving for a cold beer in the last hour or so of a long day in the saddle. My advice would be to stick with it unless the symptoms you describe really don't taper off. Perhaps also you might try booking lessons initially at the start or end of the day when convection is at a minimum - that's when hot air balloons do their stuff, for precisely the same reason that balloons and turbulence don't get on.

I wish you luck in you flying education, and if you get one tenth of the fun out of your flying that I've had, you'll have a ball !

Cheers

Pegpilot

[BackPacker]

Bumpy rides are a given on sunny days, particularly at the low levels we typically operate at. What it comes down to is simple:

1. You'll get used to it.
2. You'll learn where the bumps are likely to be found, and what tactics you can employ to avoid them. (Fly above the first layer of cumulus clouds, fly over water to the greatest extent possible, ...)

[mealies]

Thank you so much for your replies. I came back from that lesson completely embarrassed at having to end it early

I will try again and will go at the beginning/end of day.

Thanks

Andrew

[Mark1234]

Totally normal, and you will get used to it - in the first instance it's a noisy, often smelly and abnormal environment that will quite possibly make you feel nauseous anyway... then start shaking it around...

I was the same when I started, I now fly aeros for fun - amazing what the human body acclimatises to, don't worry

[Pace]

hI

Another point to consider is that with anything new or unfamiliar there is a dollop/ of apprehension and excitement.

Your whole being will be on alert!

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.

When you start anything new which you dont already have experience of the poor old Graphics card is dealing with everything as there is little info held in the main computer memory.

Result it gets overloaded quickly as do all your other senses.
So relax pick a better day and enjoy we have all been there in one form or another.

Pace

[Lister Noble]

I've been flying for 5 years now,not a lot compared to many on here,sometimes I still jump when a particularly severe bump hits the aircraft,I think it is a normal reaction.
A bit like being in a speedboat on a choppy day.
You will get used to it,and also realise that the wings are not about to fall off the aircraft.
Good luck
Lister

[vanHorck]

The good news is, you don't hear much of drivers being car-sick, it s only the passengers....

The same applies in the air

1. it's often not turbulent
2. you get used to it
3. as the driver you'll feel the effects much less than the SLF
4. larger planes such as 4 and 6 seaters are less susceptible to turbulence
5. some planes handle turbulence better than others


Go for it!

[bfisk]

As a former flight instructor I always carried a sickness bag with me, especially if having new students. I would say for the first (few) flight(s), it seemed more students had mild nausea than not. Because of this it was often nescessary to keep the first few flights short (30-45 minutes including taxiing time). Some were more prone than others but each and every one got over it eventually. My empirical experience would dare suggest an average of 2-3 flights; the most I saw was about 10-15 hours.

It's no wonder, really: nausea is very easily caused when you are subjected to unfamiliar acceleration (ie different movements than you are used to), and when that does not match your visual impression. We are used to walking, we are used to driving cars, and we know roughly what to expect with the relationship "how does it feel - how does it look". In a small airplane, even small jolts of turbulence feels a lot worse than it looks, and this is puzzling to the brain, because it is unfamiliar.

Furthermore, vibrations from the engine and the relative crampedness of a 152 (for many, at least!) could easily add to this. A general excitement (like looking forward to flying for the first time), could also add to the effect, because physiologically excitement is much like stress. If it was relatively hot and/or humid, that would also worsen the effect.

However, let me repeat what I wrote in the first paragraph: each and every one I ever flew with during 1500+ hours of flight instruction on light aircraft, got over it relatively quickly. I am absolutely convinced you will too. The human body has amazing defense mechanism (your body is telling you this is not normal), but it also has amazing adaptability (it will soon learn it is normal).


(And to tell the instructor that you felt sick and you wanted to cut the flight short, despite how much you had been looking forward to it, is for me a tell-tale sign about a good attitude flyingwise. It shows you have the ability to put reason before emotions even in a stressful situation, which is a treasured personal skill. Good luck with your training, you will soon come to enjoy it a lot!)

[mealies]

Thanks for the detailed responses. I Am glad it isn't just me who has had this then.

bfisk - i will take your advice and next lesson i go for will be shorter flight.

I am sure i will get over the feeling. Before the flight, the lifts at work made my stomach go. Got in on Monday, didn't even notice it

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?

[charliegolf]

Another thing, that I don't think has been mentioned, is looking out. On your first trip, you're probably doing at least some 'instrument flying', ie trying to stay at the same height by chasing the dials. When more used to flying, you'll spend much more time using the real horizon; thus having that whole world view. My wife does not get car sick- but she can't go head inside to read a map or somesuch, without feeling queasy.

I suspect you'll be fine. Good luck.

CG

[PhillC]

Originally Posted by mealies

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?

A C172 is going to cost you a lot more over the total PPL training period than a C152 (Having said that I did my basic in a C182, but that was a family owned aircraft that I'd been flying in as a passenger since I was 9 or 10 years old).

I'm about 6ft as well (182cm) and almost 15st (94kg) and I'm doing a lot of my flying in a C152 now. While getting in and out requires some effort, there's plenty of space inside, unless your instructor is bigger than you are! I found that even in February, with two people wearing large coats inside the cockpit, there was still enough room.

I'd stick with the C152.

[MacBoero]

I haven't had any problem when flying, but then the north east of Brazil doesn't seem to be so turbulent. I do struggle sometimes when I go sailing in rough weather, and I am called upon to go below, out of sight of the horizon for more than a few minutes. I am also unable to read in a car when travelling as a passenger. All these things are related. When travelling in a car, I either sleep or admire the scenery. When sailing and I expect rough weather, I use these:


Detail here : Stugeron (cinnarizine)

I would expect them to be able to help you.

[Fuji Abound]

I flew to France and back a couple of days ago.

I can honestly say if you had shut your eyes you wouldnt have know you were flying. More often than not that is the case.

You will find on any day there is usually a height at which you can fly where the air is much smoother. Remember that as it is seldom explored during PPL.

BBTW as others have said the motion of a little light aircraft the first time will be very different. We tend to become accustom to much larger commercial aircraft which inevitably ride the lumps and bumps better. Almost certainly you will get use to it. If you pass your PPL you may move into something a little larger and heavier which will also give a more solid ride.

Enjoy!

[mad_jock]

Try some herbal ginger tea before you go up next time.

And others have said you have the standard new student idea that you are the first to ever have a particular issue.

You obviously had a nice instructor if you had been up with me I would have told you to bugger off when you tried to hand it over to me. usually come out with a line about you have to pay extra if you want me to drive the thing.

And for those that think thats harsh in the 5 TF's I did while back home I got a thick ear by two women, one bloke nearly wee'd himself laughing after an extremely sexist comment about the striaghtness of his taxing. 3 signed up on the spot for the PPL, out of the other two, one has since come back for another TF and the last doesn't count cause I payed for the flight anyway (no I didn't get my leg over )

PS go for whatever is cheapest. Personally I think all C150/152's are stinky cramped heaps of poo and would take a tomahawk anyday of the week. But thats just my personal opinion if your a short arsed, thin shouldered none pie eating, shandy drinking student, linked with a similar size instructor they might be OK.

you may move into something a little larger and heavier which will also give a more solid ride.

That apply's to so many important things in a pilots life as I keep telling the FO's down route, althought the weekday pawnee driver at Aboyne has been taking this advice to extremes

[holdmetight]

I remember I had the exact same airsickness problem when I started flying. As many others have already mentioned, it goes away when you start to relax and your body adjusts to the turbulence. Don't give up, it is easier to overcome than many expect. Here are some remedies I used to help myself in those early days:

1. Eat something very light before flying. NEVER go on an empty or full stomach. I used to eat bananas before each flight, worked a treat in terms of energy and keeping the stomach occupied.

2. Focus on a distant object when nauseous.

3. Don't fly in excess clothing, I found being hot makes it easier to get sick.

4. Eat something ginger-related. It can be anything - from ginger tea, ginger candy, or even raw ginger... studies have shown it helps ease airsickness. I have experienced this personally too.

5. Think of the bumps and turbulence as if you were driving on a bumpy road. You are never scared your car will fall apart, so why would the aircraft?

Hope this helps. As mentioned time and again before, it will pass sooner than you think. Good luck!

[mealies]

cheers for the advice about eating/eating ginger before flying.

Mad_jock: your post made me laugh, and yes i was a wimp for handing over to my instructor

Will stick to the c152 then, saving money is more important than extra room

Andrew

[mad_jock]

Nah your not a wimp.

The thing I tell students/FO's is that the thing I am looking for is for them to never ever to give up. Its my call when I take control not thiers. Just keeping working it and doing your best until the instructors says they are taking it. Don't worry we are very paticular who kills us and I can assure you it won't be you.

Some students see it as a failure if they announce they are going around and deal with it. What actually they don't know until I tell them is that a very warm feeling occurs in me as they have just shown they are learning to be a PIC.

Enjoy your training there is something very special about flying. I just can't help myself having a grin on my face everytime I get in a light aircraft.

[TrafficPilot]

Hi Andrew

I totally understand the dizzyness/nausea thing. I suffered the same when I was learning to fly.

I'm 6'2" and found the 152 quite uncomfortable for long training sessions so switched to the PA28 which was much more comfortable (and stable) than the 152.

So you may be able to "kill two birds with one stone" if you switch to a slightly larger SEP. The PA28 cost me an extra £15 an hour but was worth it for the extra room and better stability in bumpy conditions.

Adam
TrafficPilot