Aerobatic Problems
 

I had my first aerobatic flight yesterday, and, after initial terror, loved it. I flew aileron rolls, barell rolls and steep turns. However, after each manoeuvre, my head felt like it was rotating round in circles, and my eyesight as well; at first I thought it was the plane yawing. I wasn't at all sick, and it always went away after a few seconds, but it prevented me from doing more than one manoeuvre at a time. It wasnt dizzyness, I just felt like one of those Indian dancers! Does anyone know how to get round this?

Welcome to the world of vertigo.:ok:

For a good write-up on what happens in the inner-ear canals and why you feel off-balance after any type of roll, read Aerobatics; Principles and Practice by David Robson. Particularly chapter 3. But what you describe is entirely normal - I still have the exact same thing despite doing aerobatics regularly for about two years now.

There are four ways in which you can limit the effects:
- Practice, practice, practice. At least one aerobatics flight every two weeks makes you very resistant to the effects of high-g and rolls.
- Make sure you are well prepared and physically fit before flying aerobatics: no alcohol the night before, well rested, well fed, not too much coffee etc.
- Don't do too many rolls after one another. There are various other aerobatics figures that require little or no rolling. Loops, stall turns and cuban eights come to mind. Plan your activities or sequences so that you alternate pitching maneuvers with rolling maneuvers.
- Use proper lookout techniques (for rolls you normally look dead ahead to the "sweet spot" around which the aircraft rotates) and don't move your head while rolling.

But unfortunately rolling is the primary effect of one of the three main flight controls, and a secondary effect of another. So most aerobatics figures have some sort of roll, or rolling effect in them and it's impossible to avoid them altogether.

Might be just the G. You have to brace yourself otherwise the blood drains from your brain. The feeling is similar to when you have been lying down and get up quickly.

It very quickly stops when you have done a few more aeros and if you are doing them yourself as you brace yourself almost automatically as you pull the stick. Sitting there while the instructor does the manouver is often worse than doing it yourself.

Do make sure that you have has something to eat within the previous two hours and have has a drink of water. Low blood sugar and dehydration make it much worse.

ZA

Glad you enjoyed it... funny how aircraft don't plummet when you do these strange things with them...straight and level will never seem the same again.

Aircadetccf,

Hi - welcome to PPRuNe.

I assume you were in a Tutor. Great fun, isn't it.

At least you didn't throw up, as one of my cadets did while straight and level...

Tim

Thanks for your help everyone.

I'll try to remember to tense up more in G, but unfortunately won't be able to fly enough to keep a G-tolerance. Can't wait until I can buy my own plane, maybe something like an RV8!

Many thanks.