Fatigued and tired
 

Hello people, I'm currently doing my PPL, justr started actually, a few hours in, the problem i'm having is that after every flight I feel very tired and fatigued and even a bit of a headache after some of them, will this be something that eventually just goes away when you get more experiance and used to it, I wouldn't want to stop my aspirations because of this.

Are you feeling very tense and stressed during your lessons? If so, this could be part of the cause and will probably get better as you progress, become more confident and worry less.

I wouldnt worry too much, I used to get that occasionally. Try drinking plenty water before and after each flight, although beware you don't want to be desperate for the loo during the lesson! Also you may want to try a different headset, I found that the schools old headsets used to give me terrible headaches as they simply did not fit properly and the noise was terrible, I bought a dave clarke half way through my ppl and it made a huge difference, I still use it now 14 years on! The mental strain when you begin something like learning to fly can also be giving you headaches, try and study up on each lesson before hand so that it gives your brain time to absorb all the new information.

It get's easier!

I agree with everything that youngskywalker has said.

When I started I was completely knackered - even remember going home after on tiring lesson and having a kip!

C23

The headset advice is good. A comfortable set that is nice and clear makes a difference.

As for the fatigue you will eventualy get over it (for most flights). Just remember when you are flying you are far more alert than you usually are, and when you are learning to fly you are trying to learn whilst being highly alert all the time.

Without panicing you it might be be worth getting a carbon detector in the aircraft. Chances of there being enough carbon emissions making it in to the cockpit a fairly low, but it is something to keep in mind.

Don't worry about it...

You are learning a complex new skill which is also a bit of an overall assault on the senses as well as being a mental challenge. The heightened state of arousal which is necessary to deal with this process is exhausting for many - I remember feeling exactly the same when I first began PPL training.

Human beings are generally very adaptable though, and after enough repeated exposure to this strange new environment you will probably learn to relax more as you become more confident and familiar with your flying, and will not feel so exhausted afterwards.

A few things that may help:

Plenty of rest the night before (and no alcohol)
Avoid long stressfull journeys to the airfield if possible - you'll be knackered before you start!
Drink plenty of water (dehydration's quite a major contributor to fatigue and headaches. After a hard sortie it's quite likely that your back will feel drenched due to sweating)
Eat appropriately - I'm not a dietician but I know that some foods will be better than others (e.g. foods that are slow release, such as bananas, rather than quick release energy bursts such as candy bars)
Remember to switch into flying mode and don't allow non-flying thoughts (e.g. work, family, etc) to distract you. Switch the mobile off when you arrive at the airfield! This helps to reduce your stress
If you wear glasses, keep them clean (and have your eyes retested to make sure that your not straining them)

Finally, remember that you're under quite a lot of mental pressure, with a high level of continous concentration, and your body will be experiencing some unusual physical sensations (e.g. G-load when turning). It takes time to adapt and for your body to acclimatise to this new regime.....but it's well worth it!

plenty of good advice already given, you have to bare in mind, your brain is probably working near overload, so many new things to constantly think about, the good news is, soon, some of those difficult tasks become automatic, and you don't have to donate as much brain power to it.
Remember when you learnt to drive ! awkward at first, soon becomes second nature

In addition to what's been said.. I find that if I've been flying above 3000 feet for a substantial time, I need to "pop" my ears when on the ground - or preferably before I land. I'm also a diver so it's not a big deal for me, just something I need to remember.

"Norton2005"

Im pretty much the same as you after every lesson especially when im in the circuit and doing 5 to 6 touch and goes in a row - id come out afterwards with jelly legs and ready for my bed, although im fine when doing some local VFR you just learn to ease up a bit.

all the best.

AV84.

gcolyer re
Think you mean carbon monoxide

Cotterpot i think you will find you are correct, however i could not be arsed to type the it all out. And I am fairly sure every knows what I mean.

On the pedantic note carbon monoxide emissions are still a "carbon" emission :eek:

I get the same
 

Although fly 2 lessons and sit an exam on Saturday \ Sunday. Garaunteed sweet dreams that night!

What headset do you have/use ? Get a David Clark 10-13.4 or a Bose X !!

Brain overload is common in PPL training. I recall being like a zombie after a flight.

The way PPL training is done it is quite hard and not pleasant. If you want it easier and much more enjoyable, you take the instructor on trips and learn as you go along. Lots of well-funded people have done that. The problem is that you need a lot more than the 8k the PPL normally costs. The instructor will love you of course - they rarely get a chance to fly very far.

Carbon monoxide is a serious suggestion - well worth a check. A cr*p headset is another possibility - most headsets used in the training scene are cheap knackered types.

Thanks for the replies guys. All useful suggestions. The headset that I use is a pooleys set that a friend gave me as he's got no use for it anymore as he flies for the airlines. Last lesson they were a bit tight, maybe that had something to do with it? Need to sort out the adjustments on it. As of the end of next week I'll be starting 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, hopefully that won't make things worse, should be getting used to it with those kind of hours I would imagine.

If you intend to fly long term (I know most people probably intend to fly long term, but still give up fairly quickly) then I would suggest that you go and buy yourself the best ANR headset that you can afford.

This will reduce noise-a big cause of fatigue. It will also make radio communication much clearer and easier to understand/learn, thus speeding up your training and saving you money.

One other thing to findout is how to adjust the squelsh on your intercom (if possible). Sometimes an incorrectly set squelsh means that you have a constant background shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh noise. When this happens, it is EXTREMELY tiring, but easily eliminated by turning the correct knob ;) Don't ever under estimate the tiring effect of background noise.

Also practice your circuits/radio calls or what ever part of your training you are on, when at home, in the bath, driving to work....wherever you are. You are trying to train your brain to do these automatically without having to think about them. When you can do these automatically, it's one less thing you have to do in the air, which will help free up your mind ;)

dp

Don't worry for next week, relax and enjoy your flying week, let's hope the weather is with you!!

If you are happy with your current headset, try to borrow one from another student and see if it helps.

Go to bed early and relax, i myself i'm doing my PPL flying (if the weather allows it) every day and ofcorse it is very tiring!! My wife says the house is much calmer when i started this intensive PPL training.

I think the pain in the head is about the huge amount of concentration you need to use to perform the multiple flying items, step by step it will go automaticly, don't worry. You did got your medical already ? Don't worry then.

On what plane are you training ?

Yep done the medical, you? I'm on the C152, what about you?

Same over here, doing in 152... after that i'm moving on to warrior III avidyne glass to get my IR...

do to the mass bad reactions about learning to fly on glass directly i choose the 152, much cheaper also ofcorse...