Motion sickness, pilot?

Question

I noticed that I have pretty bad motion sickness. Roller coasters KILL me, and after I get off, I HAVE to sit down, otherwise I will fall over, because my head begins to spin, causing me to close my eyes, and I have to sit down due to this. When someone drives bad, without any "feeling" when breaking, and jerks my head forward, I get a killer headache that lasts the whole day. I have one now, in fact, because my mom always breaks horribly without noticing it, it seems. My motion sickness problem is seriously worrying me, because I have loved planes ever since I was a little girl, and I plan to fly. I was wondering if motion sickness is a huge setback for someone wanting to become a pilot. Information, suggestions, advice, answers, anything at all? I also heard that it could be due to the fact that I am not in control. So, if I was the pilot, I apparently wouldn't get sick because I am in control. When I drive, I never get sick, by the way.

Answer 1

Don't be too concerned.  As a pilot, I get really nauseous on certain amusement rides as well.  Airplanes don't normally perform all the gyrations it would take to make you sick (unless you are flying aerobatics) Suggestion:  go to a small local airport and take an introductory flight lesson -not expensive- and see if you like it!

Answer 2

http://www.biobands.com/motionsickness.h...

http://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore...

Answer 3

The part about getting dizzy or maybe light headed doen't sound too good.  It's not like you can just pull over at 6,000ft.

Answer 4

I used to get sick on boats, in airplanes, and at amusement parks.  I started flight training, and for the first 10 hours or so, that made me sick too.  But it didn't take long for my body to adjust for that.  I never have problems in an airplane or amusement parks anymore, but boats still make me a bit queasy.

Don't expect the "in control" remedy to help right away in flight training.  For the first few flights, you feel anything but in control.  After some experience, though, that feeling of control does come and the motion sickness subsides.

Answer 5

You didn't mention whether or not you ever get airsick as a plane passenger.  I've been airsick as a passenger on commercial flights but never while I myself was piloting.  I once made my flight instructor, an Air Force pilot with thousands of hours of flight time, sick while I was practicing spins.  I felt fine.  You will probably feel fine too, so don't worry about it!

Answer 6

As a child I often felt sick on car journeys until I realised that paying attention to the road made me feel better.

When I first did some aerobatics and spinning I felt a bit sick when the instructor was flying but fine when I took control. I've not had a problem since.

Maybe it's whether or not the brain knows what's going to happen next?

How about taking a trial flying lesson and seeing how you feel.

Answer 7

For MOST people, it just takes getting used to. I know people that used to be a bit edgy with these things, but after a few hours, the motion sickness goes away and you hardly feel a thing.

Don't give it up unless you are still feeling sick after say 10 hours flying experience

Answer 8

maybe you're not used to being in high altitude.

seeing a doctor will help