I have collected about 7 hours of IMC in my log book so far and I still have yet to experience the Vertigo. I don't have some kind of super human senses do I? What was your first experience with vertigo and did it surprise you? Did you react like you expected you would or did it turn into a graveyard spiral down and out the bottom?

 

I was always the same way, but I occasionally run into a little vertigo maneuvering in IMC. To me it feels like I'm pulling G's that were not expected, kind of a weird sensation. It's recognizable, so I know to cross-check and use the instruments...no panic or anything, it's not scary.

 

Try actual in mod turbulence. Every time it gets me messed up the first 10 seconds. I have to concentrate really hard on my instruments, especially on the level off. After that, it's not too bad.

If you haven't tried it yet with an instructor, have him drop a pencil and pick it up quickly off the floor. Or if you can, go to the FAA CAMI in Ok City to do the trainer.

 

I've experienced vertigo numerous times. Some of my training seemed to be in situations that easily induced it. Sitting in the back cockpit with a blind pulled over the cockpit and the sunshine (especially on a day with broken layers) seem to induced vertigo easily. also, flying formation in the clouds was a sure way of getting vertigo especially if lead was maneuvering at some time.
Unless you have a different vestibular system then you don't have any type of super human immunity to vertigo I would guess, rather you just haven't been in IMC enough or encountered the right mix of conditions. One way that they would induced vertigo in our training in the spin-n-puke was to put us in a turn and then have us look down and left to a control panel to switch freqs or something and then look back up quickly. This was a sure fire way of making the world tumble.

USMCFLYR

 

Go "lost wingie" in a 30 degree banked turn, on the inside of the turn,in the weather, perhaps, night tanking. Absolutely guaranteed vertigo.

GF

 

Those all sound fun. I'll try them on the LOC/DME into Aspen.

 

Isn't vertigo a disease within the vestibular system? Flying in the clouds can cause spatial disorientation, which is the inability to correctly interpret aircraft attitude, altitude or airspeed, in relation to the Earth or point of reference.

My first experience with spatial disorientation was about 1 second after entering the clouds for my first time. Its nothing scary, but just a strange sensation. Trust the instruments and the feeling goes away. Occasionally I still get a mild form of "the leans". I believe it is normal.

 

1st time was IMC in the back of a 172, watching another student. I guess that's the best place to get it, trusting the PF does not get it either.

Another time was (again, IMC) being vectored for an approach. During the turn, the sun bore through and confused the brain.

All your can do is ignore it and concentrate (concentrate, Manny Mota) on your scan.

The more you fly in the soup (or hood), it should happen less and less.

 

At dusk or night, turning
30 degree bank for an extended time, and going level fairly quickly ,, got it real quick when I was instrument training.... Messes with your head , cant say I have had it since,..

 

Bearded Flyer

If you have a whole 7 hours of actual instrument time and are shooting approaches into KASE, vertigo is low down on your list of concerns. Vertigo on the miss would be exciting.

GF