First post, Question about motion sickness

Superfly7XAF · March 9th, 2008, 19:31

Hi guys, I'm new here, love the website. I've been a long time lurker and finally decided to join.

I just began my PPL and I had my first lesson today (FBO). Everything went fine and I didn't have much of a problem doing basic manuevers and controlling the aircraft (DA20). The only problem was I got a little motion sickness when doing touch and gos. Going up I was fine, climbing, descending, turning, no problem. Then we went to do touch and gos and it was a little choppy below 3000 ft. After doing three I kinda got a little nauseous. I probably concentrated on the instruments too much rather than looking outside (bad habit I picked up from flight sim). I didn't throw up and it wasn't that bad, but I definitely felt it.

I want to make a career out of flying and possibly go Air Force. So did this happen to anyone else the first time up? Is this just something that your body gets used to after a while or should I be concerned? Will it cause a problem for me in the future?

Thanks guys, look forward to your feedback and it's great to be onboard!!!

Seggy · March 9th, 2008, 19:47

Welcome to JC! Congrats on our first flight!

You will get used the motion sickness. Another thing you can do is take ginger ale before the flight and maybe a ginger tablet as well.

That should work.

Milesar · March 9th, 2008, 20:16

Its not unusual to feel a bit queasy at times, especially one of your first times up in the bumps. However, don't fly on an empty stomach! That can contribute to making you feel not so hot.

ElyJs · March 9th, 2008, 22:22

Rewind, to my first discovery flight. I am super enthusiastic, have been doing a ton of research and am sure flying is it. My instructor gives me more of a first lesson than a discovery flight. I am determined to master this flying thing in the first hour. We go through very basic climbs, descents and turns. My pitch is a little shaky but I am concentrating super hard. My stomach starts to churn a little bit, but I keep quiet. I start to sweat a little, still quiet. Eventually I must have been looking a little green because the instructor starts to ask how I am feeling. Uh-oh we are looking for the sick bag, but nothing! The only thing he has is his headset bag. I filled er up and we headed back to the airport. I felt like poo for the next hour or so, but man I was hooked.

I bought those $10 wrist bands that put a little pressure on your wrists and took 2 Dramamine for the next two lessons. The wrist bands worked I guess but it might have just been a psychological thing. The Dramamine def works, makes you a little drowsy but your not PIC just yet.

Now if I am giving a spin endorsement or doing acro I am only good for a half hour or so, but its all conditioning. This doesn't mean you couldn't do airshow flying if you wanted to. In fact it means nothing. It will however be a good story. I still get a little flak for puking my first flight. This problem is fairly common and extremely minor. Have fun flying!

-Jason
www.flyboulder.com

jelloy · March 10th, 2008, 01:05

I was sick for probably the first 3 or 4 hours. I think it's just different for alot of people...dont worry, it's totally natural. I was worried that i wasnt cut out for flying because i would get nausous and start sweating whenever there was a bump. Your body will get used to it and then you'll be able to go up in any sort of situation without any kind of adverse bodily reaction. After a while, you'll look forward to the bumps!

March 9th, 2008, 19:31	#1
Superfly7XAF Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Left Seat Posts: 18	First post, Question about motion sickness Hi guys, I'm new here, love the website. I've been a long time lurker and finally decided to join. I just began my PPL and I had my first lesson today (FBO). Everything went fine and I didn't have much of a problem doing basic manuevers and controlling the aircraft (DA20). The only problem was I got a little motion sickness when doing touch and gos. Going up I was fine, climbing, descending, turning, no problem. Then we went to do touch and gos and it was a little choppy below 3000 ft. After doing three I kinda got a little nauseous. I probably concentrated on the instruments too much rather than looking outside (bad habit I picked up from flight sim). I didn't throw up and it wasn't that bad, but I definitely felt it. I want to make a career out of flying and possibly go Air Force. So did this happen to anyone else the first time up? Is this just something that your body gets used to after a while or should I be concerned? Will it cause a problem for me in the future? Thanks guys, look forward to your feedback and it's great to be onboard!!!

March 9th, 2008, 19:47	#2
Seggy Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Somewhere in the Northeast Posts: 4,942	Re: First post, Question about motion sickness Welcome to JC! Congrats on our first flight! You will get used the motion sickness. Another thing you can do is take ginger ale before the flight and maybe a ginger tablet as well. That should work. __________________ www.alpa.org

March 9th, 2008, 20:16	#3
Milesar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: BrownChickenBrownCow Posts: 725	Re: First post, Question about motion sickness Its not unusual to feel a bit queasy at times, especially one of your first times up in the bumps. However, don't fly on an empty stomach! That can contribute to making you feel not so hot. __________________ Professional People Dodger. Props are for boats.

March 9th, 2008, 22:22	#4
ElyJs Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 271	Re: First post, Question about motion sickness Rewind, to my first discovery flight. I am super enthusiastic, have been doing a ton of research and am sure flying is it. My instructor gives me more of a first lesson than a discovery flight. I am determined to master this flying thing in the first hour. We go through very basic climbs, descents and turns. My pitch is a little shaky but I am concentrating super hard. My stomach starts to churn a little bit, but I keep quiet. I start to sweat a little, still quiet. Eventually I must have been looking a little green because the instructor starts to ask how I am feeling. Uh-oh we are looking for the sick bag, but nothing! The only thing he has is his headset bag. I filled er up and we headed back to the airport. I felt like poo for the next hour or so, but man I was hooked. I bought those $10 wrist bands that put a little pressure on your wrists and took 2 Dramamine for the next two lessons. The wrist bands worked I guess but it might have just been a psychological thing. The Dramamine def works, makes you a little drowsy but your not PIC just yet. Now if I am giving a spin endorsement or doing acro I am only good for a half hour or so, but its all conditioning. This doesn't mean you couldn't do airshow flying if you wanted to. In fact it means nothing. It will however be a good story. I still get a little flak for puking my first flight. This problem is fairly common and extremely minor. Have fun flying! -Jason www.flyboulder.com

March 10th, 2008, 01:05	#5
jelloy Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 20	Re: First post, Question about motion sickness I was sick for probably the first 3 or 4 hours. I think it's just different for alot of people...dont worry, it's totally natural. I was worried that i wasnt cut out for flying because i would get nausous and start sweating whenever there was a bump. Your body will get used to it and then you'll be able to go up in any sort of situation without any kind of adverse bodily reaction. After a while, you'll look forward to the bumps!

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