Airsickness What to do?
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Airsickness What to do?
I started my ppl in Jan and the first 4 lessons were fine.
The last 4 the weather has been a bit bumpy and I have suffered with some bad airsickness, I have tried wrist bands, ginger and sickness tablets called Travella which are non drowsey but I am still getting symptoms.
My instructor has told me we couldnt do everthing he had planned on a few of the lessons due to my airsickness and I think he was frustrated by it.
Is there anything else I can do?
I love flying (until I start getting airsick) but is a career in aviation out of the question?
Regards
J
The last 4 the weather has been a bit bumpy and I have suffered with some bad airsickness, I have tried wrist bands, ginger and sickness tablets called Travella which are non drowsey but I am still getting symptoms.
My instructor has told me we couldnt do everthing he had planned on a few of the lessons due to my airsickness and I think he was frustrated by it.
Is there anything else I can do?
I love flying (until I start getting airsick) but is a career in aviation out of the question?
Regards
J
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Ask your instructor if he gets air sick when being flown roughly by someone else?
You would be my choice as a potentially good pilot as your sensitivity to small accelerations is above average.
Our feel for those small accelerations/movements tell us what the aircraft (or other vehicle) is doing and what you are doing with it.
It will all change when you are doing the controlling and then the instructor may need the bag - that is unless he has a wide bristling moustache which signifies that he is from the old school when aircrew were not supposed to be sensitive to g and rapid variations of same.
You would be my choice as a potentially good pilot as your sensitivity to small accelerations is above average.
Our feel for those small accelerations/movements tell us what the aircraft (or other vehicle) is doing and what you are doing with it.
It will all change when you are doing the controlling and then the instructor may need the bag - that is unless he has a wide bristling moustache which signifies that he is from the old school when aircrew were not supposed to be sensitive to g and rapid variations of same.
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I have only been on one trial lesson and man I had every 
sensation going. It has put me off going further.
On the day I went up all flying has been grounded two hours prior to the event.
I am going to have another go at it but the sickness part is a problem.
sensation going. It has put me off going further. On the day I went up all flying has been grounded two hours prior to the event.
I am going to have another go at it but the sickness part is a problem.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I keep mine under control by wearing a teeshirt and keeping the cockpit cool.. a few of my instructors fly in coats and scarfs and like to keep the cockpit piping.... horrrrrrible.
When I first started airsickness was a problem but with that above method I quickly got used to it. I will admit when I was doing steep turns with an instruct, many lessons after i'd actually done steep turns, I got a hot flush and felt ill. Taking control of the aircraft again allowed me to feel better.
Many people get airsickness but you do get used to it.
When I first started airsickness was a problem but with that above method I quickly got used to it. I will admit when I was doing steep turns with an instruct, many lessons after i'd actually done steep turns, I got a hot flush and felt ill. Taking control of the aircraft again allowed me to feel better.
Many people get airsickness but you do get used to it.
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I used to get it too, I took anti-sickness tablets for about my first 20 or so hours flying before I got used to the sensations (and turbulence in AZ on a summers day!). I also agree that keeping cool helps, the heaters on small a/c produce the most horrible air that really isn't good for motion sickness.
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You'll get used to it and eventually it shouldn't trouble you, so you needn't worry.
The advice I got was to keep the cockpit cool, ensure good air circulation and just try to keep your mind pre-occupied with thoughts other than "oh no, I'm going to feel sick". I know it's difficult, I've been in the same situation. The other thing to do is if you're feeling a bit nauseas, ask you instructor to allow you to take control of the aircraft and fly straight and level, and fixate your sight on a stationary object outside.
Avoid moving your head too much whilst you are banking, once you are banked an set up in the turn then you can move your head around for look-out.
If you are flying on instruments only then ignore any illusions and what your body is feeling, and in effect over-ride those senses and believe soley on what your instruments are telling you and the feeling of disorientation and nausea should quickly fade away.
Also, this may sound a bit daunting, since you suffer from air-sickness, but at the end of each flight get your instructor to pull some un-usual attitudes or g's on you (e.g. steep turns). This will de-sensitize you eventually. Be brave!
Be careful with taking anti-nausea medication, always consult and AME for advice before taking such medication.
A career in aviation is definitely not out of the question - this alone will not stop you!
The advice I got was to keep the cockpit cool, ensure good air circulation and just try to keep your mind pre-occupied with thoughts other than "oh no, I'm going to feel sick". I know it's difficult, I've been in the same situation. The other thing to do is if you're feeling a bit nauseas, ask you instructor to allow you to take control of the aircraft and fly straight and level, and fixate your sight on a stationary object outside.
Avoid moving your head too much whilst you are banking, once you are banked an set up in the turn then you can move your head around for look-out.
If you are flying on instruments only then ignore any illusions and what your body is feeling, and in effect over-ride those senses and believe soley on what your instruments are telling you and the feeling of disorientation and nausea should quickly fade away.
Also, this may sound a bit daunting, since you suffer from air-sickness, but at the end of each flight get your instructor to pull some un-usual attitudes or g's on you (e.g. steep turns). This will de-sensitize you eventually. Be brave!
Be careful with taking anti-nausea medication, always consult and AME for advice before taking such medication.
A career in aviation is definitely not out of the question - this alone will not stop you!
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Concentrate on looking outside the cockpit not the instruments. It does eventually pass as your body gets used to flying.
Also a good instructor should have a sick bag on them for the new boys.
Also a good instructor should have a sick bag on them for the new boys.
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I know that pilots have used this in the past and as far as i know after checking with a friend GP they have no side effects.
They are called Stugeron.
Helps the blood to flow better as he told me.
Dont ask me how it helps you overcome airsickness but I know a couple of guys that were fine after that.
Had the same issue but I am used to it without any medication.
Found out that it helps if you try not to thing about it a lot before flight and keep a bottle of water with you.
They are called Stugeron.
Helps the blood to flow better as he told me.
Dont ask me how it helps you overcome airsickness but I know a couple of guys that were fine after that.
Had the same issue but I am used to it without any medication.
Found out that it helps if you try not to thing about it a lot before flight and keep a bottle of water with you.
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Had this a couple of times myself, even after 200+ hrs.. A few things I can recomend are, Never fly on an empty stomach, keep the cockpit cool, if you feel 'iffy' set yrself up straight and level and keep your head still. If you still feel bad, ask your instructor to take you back asap as the quicker your on the ground and feeling better the quicker you will be wanting to get up there again.
If you push it and make yourself feel really bad it could put you off for ages.
DPT
If you push it and make yourself feel really bad it could put you off for ages.
DPT
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Thanks for the advise its just frustrate when the lessons going really well making good progress then my stomach does a 180, only been sick once though but will try all of the above.
J
J
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Ive not had a problem with airsickness myself (touch wood!) But I get sea-sickness like a b!tch!
A few years ago on holiday in Cuba, I went on a day trip out on a powered catamaran. On the journey to our destination, the sea was dead calm, I was sat on the back talking with my family, constantly changing my focus between them (very close) and looking out of the boat (very far) and I was sick as a parrot!. On the way back the sea was very choppy. The swell must have been at least 3-4ft, which on a boat that was maybe only 40ft long it made for some interesting pitch angles. Anyway, I sat straddling one of the bows right at the front, with my legs under water to my shins as the boat hit the trough of the waves. I had the cool breeze in my face and was was constantly looking out over the sea... I felt right as rain! Which is more than could be said for the folks at the back trying to keep all their beer down.
From my experience on the boat I would echo everyone elses coments on keeping cool and trying keep your focus on the real horizon rather than the artificial one! - Which during your first lessons I wouldnt expect to be too much of a problem!
All the best
JB
A few years ago on holiday in Cuba, I went on a day trip out on a powered catamaran. On the journey to our destination, the sea was dead calm, I was sat on the back talking with my family, constantly changing my focus between them (very close) and looking out of the boat (very far) and I was sick as a parrot!. On the way back the sea was very choppy. The swell must have been at least 3-4ft, which on a boat that was maybe only 40ft long it made for some interesting pitch angles. Anyway, I sat straddling one of the bows right at the front, with my legs under water to my shins as the boat hit the trough of the waves. I had the cool breeze in my face and was was constantly looking out over the sea... I felt right as rain! Which is more than could be said for the folks at the back trying to keep all their beer down.
From my experience on the boat I would echo everyone elses coments on keeping cool and trying keep your focus on the real horizon rather than the artificial one! - Which during your first lessons I wouldnt expect to be too much of a problem!
All the best
JB
