Motion sickness

[Timebuilder]

There are two models avialable. One has a fixed life and a sealed case. The other, more expensive model has a replaceable battery.

 

[TurboS7]

I will always remember when I was five years old puuuuking all over my grandfather's 172, I missed the bag. I have always had a tender stomach, I think it was because I wasn't breast fed. Anyhow I always fly with a full stomach, that really helps. Schedule your flying lessons in the early morning or evening when it is smooth. When you pull G's or start bouncing around tighten up your stomach muscles, it helps. Don't let people like my wife make you feel bad. She never gets sea sick, she can go out in a fighter and sit in the back and while pulling 7'gs and not feel sick and love every minute of it. Oh yes, she was breast fed when she was a baby. Most of us pilots feel sick and when those neg g's come----look out. Have fun and enjoy.

 

[avbug]

I like to strike students who have a strong constitution about the abdomen prior to a flight. Several good blows induce vomiting, leaving nothing to come up during the flight. (Dry heaves only build good abs). For women, children, and small animals, I alternate between using syrup of ipicac or a tongue depressor (never a finger, even old folks bite hard). Get it all out in the open and out of their system.

The flight always goes better after that.

Seriously, a little fresh air, and look outside the cockpit; far outside. Look at the horizon. If you find you're getting sick, then stop doing whatever it was that made you sick. Most folks who have this probem experience it with turns of 180 degrees or more; especially steep turns involving changes in direction.

A tolerance can be built up, but take your time. If air work is making you sick, go do landings. Shorten the duration of the flights, and shoot for morning or evening flights when it is likely to be more calm. If sickness comes on, go do something else, or end the flight. Airsickness is both psyiological, and psychological. Don't allow it to jade you or feed itself. Cut it off and go back up later.

It IS beatable. If you can't lick it, however, try eating something that tastes as good coming back up as it does going down the first time...and the second time, and the third time. Pick foods for their aftertaste, and you'll be a contented camper. Good luck!!

 

[oilcanbland]

Hey, bobbysamd. If you get this, I was just curious as to why you said to stay away from the motion sickness medication. Do you mean staw away from over the counter drugs?

 

[bobbysamd]

Medical deficiency

Theoretically, according to 14 CFR 61.53, taking ANY medication means that you have a medical condition that would render you unable meet the requirements of your medical:

Sec. 61.53 - Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency.

(a) Operations that require a medical certificate. Except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, a person who holds a current medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person:

(1) Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or

(2) Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.

(Emphasis added)

Obviously, you need to use some judgment. Every medication has some sort of side effect, but it is not unreasonable to take Tylenol for a headache and fly after the headache passes. The FAA can approve prescription medications on a case-by-case basis for those who need them. So many of the motion sickness meds, though, have antihistimines, which induce drowsiness.

Best thing is stay away from them. Don't worry, your airsickness tendencies will pass soon.

An interesting pilot medical site is www.leftseat.com .

Good luck with your lessons.