Question for Pilots...?

Question

Why do I get drowsy during flight training? I do not have much hours so maybe I just need some getting used with regards to the movements and "Gs" of a small aircraft. What I know is that I am pretty sure that this is not airsickness because I don't feel nauseous. However, when I do steep turns or nose down right after a nose up (drastic correction to where I feel weightless), it seems as if my body can only take so much of it before I have to land after only 1.4 hours because I am sleepy. I only have 7 hours by the way. Will I eventually get used to this? Or does no one else know what I'm talking about?

Answer 1

Are you getting enough sleep the night before you fly?  I have often not been able to rest due to being keyed up for some big venture.  Maybe take a nap during the day before you go to the airport.  Also be sure you have plenty of hydration (water) in you.  Coffee is NOT good for this because there is a big let down after caffene wears off and makes you thirsty for water too.

Communicate with your flight instructor so he can tailor your lessons appropriately.  Maybe make a change in the time of day of your lessons.  

You are not alone; drowsiness is something we all have to deal with in every task in life.  You will learn from experience.

Answer 2

My guess is that you are so keyed up and concentrating  so hard that after 1.4 hours  you are worn out! -  when you become more comfortable with flying you might relax and not have to concentrate so hard.

Answer 3

Yeah, 1.4 is about the max lesson because there's so much going on.  And an airplane cockpit is the worst classroom in the world; it's noisy, vibrates, hot/cold, not well ventillated, etc.

You should train out of it.