Air Sickness Problem for Student Pilot?

Question

I am currently learning how to fly and i've discovered a great problem that i never had before when flying in an aircraft. Usually in a normal commercial jet, I wouldn't even feel air sick.

However, just a few days ago I was put in the pilot's seat of a PA28 aircraft and immediately after take off, I felt nauseous.

I REALLY want to fulfill my flying ambitions, how do i eliminate this problem? Please, please help! :)

Answer 1

First, RELAX.  This isn't something that you can't get over.  There were many great pilots that had the same problem.  

Read page 100 of Eddie Rickenbacker's autobiography; he would go up, puke over the side, come back down and do it all again eventually getting over it, shooting down 26 Germans and winning the Congressional Medal of Honor

Answer 2

it's a very common problem. just stick with it and it will go away after afew weeks.

Answer 3

It is a pretty common problem.

Remain relaxed. The feeling will go away with more flight time.

I know pilots with this problem. They only have the problem as a passenger in light planes but not when actually piloting.

Answer 4

This actually occurs much more than you would think.  How many lessons have you had?  If you have only been up in a small plane a few times there is absolutely nothing to worry about yet.  Next time you go up, make sure you are not overly nervous or stressed about flight.  Also, make sure you are wearing loose fitting clothes (t-shirt or something comfortable like that).  Also, make sure you have the air-vent pointed at you and you are staying plenty cool.  After you take off, and if you are feeling alright, make some small turns, nothing abrupt and see how you feel.  Also most importantly KEEP YOUR EYES OUTSIDE OF THE COCKPIT.  Watching the instruments is a very common mistake that I have found occurs mostly to people who have played a lot of flight sim.  If you keep your eyes outside you will get much less nauseous, plus the whole point of learning to fly is to fly while looking outside.

I believe that if you follow the above and you take the flying in stride, you will be just fine.  I actually have dealt with this personally.  I don't do those "spinny" rides at carnivals or whatnot because I will throw-up.  Also, my first few flights I kinda got nauseous, but I got over it quickly.  A couple more things to try until you get comfortable is to fly early morning.  It sucks to get up, but the best time of the day to fly is in the early morning (7-9ish).  This holds especially true in the spring and summertime when the air gets very bumpy in the afternoon.  Also, make sure you are completely comfortable with the CFI you have with you, and make sure he knows to take it slowly with you.  I'm confident you will pull through this as I have and several of my students have also.

Finally, if all this doesn't work, discuss it with your AME (the doctor who gave you your medical) and there are some other options, however I'm 99% sure you will get over it after a couple more flights.

Answer 5

do you often get dizzy when you spin around or walk around something for a long time? If you do, it may be a serious problem and you may have to consult the doctor. The reason that you feel nauseous is because you focus on all the dials and the levers and at the moving sky around you. It's the same thing as reading a book in a car. you focus on the letters and the roads zooming past you;It's the same thing.Try and relax and only look outside when you have to.

Answer 6

I disagree with Jason...look outside to the horizon and glance down at the instruments like you would when you're driving a car. You don't need to focus on them totally unless you are flying IFR.

Answer 7

I'm sorry. But you have to consult this with the doctor.

Answer 8

As far as something you can take, I believe ginger pills are supposed to help with sickness and I dont THINK this is a disqualifying medication but check with your AME, the person who gave you your medical first.  The biggest thing is to take it easy on the maneuvers, most students that I had that would get airsick eventually got better with time, youl just have to take your time, take things real easily, only do a little at a time.  Some things that may help are, fly in the evening or early morning when the winds are generally more calm, there is less turbulence and its alot cooler.  While flying if you feel sick, try and get alot of fresh air, fly straight and level and focus on something off in the distance on the horizon.  Doing this gets what your body is feeling and what your eyes are seeing back in sync.  Good luck!