Originally Posted by
mad1
Hi folks
Flying100k miles in '10, reading the ask a UA pilot thread on FT and listening to channel 9, I decided to start taking flying lessons.
In jan 2010, I did an air combat experience:
http://www.barnstorming.com/documents/52.html
It was a blast, but during the 45-minute flight, I lost my breakfast. Twice. Sad but understandable considering the yanking and banking and the circling around that was going on. Landing was followed by more nausea, and all I could do the next 5 hours was lie down.
One year later, last weekend, I did an official introductory flight lesson. The flight was ok. For the first 20 minutes that is. Then, as the instructor took over to land, I started to feel dizzy. By the time we landed, I couldn't walk straight. I had to lie down on a couch and nap for 45 minutes, then I was ok to drive back home.
Now, I'm just not sure if I'm cut out for piloting an aircraft. I usually don't get airsick on an airliner, but do in the backseat of a car. I think it's to do with an unlimited field of view - in a car, or in a GA airplane, I feel a little claustrophobic. I'm getting dizzy thinking about it
.
I really like flying, but not enough to spend $150/hr AND feel like crap when I'm done. Any fellow FTers know of how to get around this problem? Does this go away if I keep going back?
thanks
Although few will admit it, 60% of pilots STILL get sick sometimes, and 80% of cabin crews. It's more normal than you might think. They make sure they do it discreetly. An FA friend of mine has told me many a story of going in the galley and letting go of her dinner in silence, then putting on a smile and going back out. Crews are not allowed to take meds for it.
To an extent you can develop your "air legs" by repeated exposure. Many flight schools and the military do a regimen of flights that get you to the border of nausea, stop, and try to extend that point until you become better adjusted.
I fly twice a week and still get airsick sometimes. And I have been at it for 20 years. Mostly it's on descent and approach. I use a scopalamine patch. It works. But if you are actually flying, you simply have to learn to grab the bag and hold your alertness together.