Good morning everyone! I am about to get back into flight training and finish up my IFR rating, my question is I am nervous about motion sickness.. I have never had any problem with it during my private training, or in the car as a kid ect.. I did purchase the electronic relief band, (for $125.00 it better do something) With my background of never feeling it before, do you think I will be alright. A little more information I have been flying since I was 13, now 21 and have 153 hours? Thanks everyone!

 

Your nerves are what are going to give you the problem if you go into your flight this predetermined dread; like a self fulfilling prophecy.

Question is - if you have no history of motion sickness, especially with some previous flight time; why the sudden worry?

FWIW, I got sick on my second PPL lesson ever, so yes - it is something that most can overcome given determination.

There are many threads on APC about motion sickness. Try the search function for key words in titles or posts and see what has worked for others.

Good luck.

USMCFLYR

 

Go to GNC, buy ginger pills. This has relieved motion sickness with many students of mine. Send the band back, fly another hour.

 

You are nervous about motion sickness? Like USMC said why worry now? Are you afraid of turbulence? If so, you might want to do some research and talk to a CFI about turbulence and you might develop a healthy doze of respect for why it happens. Good luck and it would be a bummer if motion sickness does pose a threat to your future flying. I am still a little confused. I think it is best for you to analyze what's exactly causing you anxiety. Heck we all feel anxious prior to a flight, if that's not natural, then you are asking for trouble. It is all part of the respect good pilots have for the flight environment etc.

 

I have a rubber band around my wrist, not sure if it's the slight pressure or something I can look to when I feel bad, but it helps me. I know, weird huh?

 

Mind tricks IMO.

USMCFLYR

 

I puked 4 times in UPT, all related to self-induced stress. Relax & take it in stride, you'll be fine. I taught UPT for 3 years in the T-37, and have only met one person with a genuine medical condition that prevented him from flying: no kidding, 5 minutes into every flight he vomited...he did his best, and concluded a ground job in the USAF was for him.

Don't sweat it...with your current experience you're well over the hump.

 

I've had 5000 ATP captains from regionals puke on their first 2-3 flights at IFS. It's mostly all stress induced. They know they have to perform in a limited number of flights to new standards. They stress out because the IP is coaching and then here it comes.

I've seen everything from ginger pills, ginger cookies, motion sickness pills, sea-bands, etc. Normally what I've found is that it is not the body that gets motion sickness but the students dread makes them sick. The military talks about motion sickness so much I think some of our guys think of nothing but that on the first few flights. Then of course it happens.

Best advice is not to even think about it. I know as a civilian CFI I carried sickness bags but never brought it up. In two years of instructing in the civilian world I never had one student puke. On the military side of the house I get it about all the time.

If you can't counter it out of your mind. Then try some aids. If you still can't. Sit in an office chair and spin yourself until your almost sick. Calm down and repeat. Eventually your body and mind will overcome the sensation.

 

I had a student who puked everytime I put him under the hood beginning in his private lessons and a good way into his instrument. He stuck with it and overcame it. Just stick with it if you have problems. Your body will adapt.