Originally Posted by
Biggles
Ok, so this is it, after doing an hour of manoeuvres and a 1/2 dozen landings, that first belch of motion sickness threatens. Its saddening actually because having put the Private license under the belt what do I do next. I want to drive an "air" bus and get paid for it, but the next tickets are going to cost me an arm and a leg.....do I continue with the investment and risk getting washed out at sim training or commercial because by air legs take a walk?
I would like some pointers on this, I am very concerned about spending thousands of dollars on training while I cannot steel up my stomach. Are there any similar victims out there that have experienced the same stubborn balancing issues that have battled through the sickness and managed to get to the best vocation in the world??? Do tell!
What you are feeling is not too unusual. Generally, pilots get more tolerant of motion sickness as they gain more flight experience. Also most folks get more tolerant as they get older.
You are more likely to feel it while doing training manuevers, especially in light GA airplanes in noisy, turbulent, or warm conditions. You can try these things:
- Food: An empty stomach or a big grease-laden meal invites queesiness for me. A light meal or snack without a lot of grease is best.
- Fly early in the day when it's cooler and before the convective turbulence picks up.
- Avoid hilly areas which are more turbulence-prone.
- You could probably try one of those pressure-point wrist-bands, but that would would not be a good long term solution...I don't think you'd want to show up to your first airline job with one of those things on.
- Medications (prescription or OTC) might cause problems with your medical certificate, but supplements generally do not need to be reported on the medical form. You might research herbal remedies on the internet...if you find one that's cheap and effective and has no side effects, problem solved!
Most professional and airline flying involves little manuevering so airline pilots essentially never get sick. If it's mild and only bothers you during training manuevers or turbulence you can probably gut it out until you get used to it, or get a jet job...do you get sick when riding on airliners? If not you should be good to go.
If you get sick just cruising around in calm conditions, you might want do defer commercial training until you can determine if you can become more tolerant. I have known a few students who simply got sick every time they went up...ultimately flying was not a good hobby for them.