Newbie Pilot Training Questions

This forum has been developed to discuss flight instruction/University and College programs.

Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, Right Seat Captain

Post Reply
raginipaul24
Rank 0
Rank 0
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2020 5:00 am

Newbie Pilot Training Questions

Post by raginipaul24 »

So, I took the plunge and started officially working towards a private pilots license after many many years of talking about it. I'm definitely enjoying it so far, but having one minor issue.

Nausea. I took my second flight this morning and after a half an hour started feeling queasy so we headed back. It was a bit windy and the plane was hard to control, but it wasn't so bad that I felt I should be feeling sick. I took some OTC non-drowsy dramamine probably 1/2 hour before we took off, but it didn't do much.

Is this something I will just get used to in time so I should power through, or are there things I can do to help? I don't get this way flying on the big commercial jets.

Thanks in advance!
---------- ADS -----------
 
Pilotdaddy
Rank 4
Rank 4
Posts: 203
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2019 2:05 pm

Re: Newbie Pilot Training Questions

Post by Pilotdaddy »

Don't go up on an empty stomach but don't go up on a full one either. With time, you'll find where the sweet spot is.

Re: windiness and controlling the airplane - believe it or not, it's probably better if you let loose on the control. The more you try and fight the winds/gusts, the worse it will be. Just go with the flow and apply light touch on the yoke and keep your eyes on the horizon. After a couple of lessons, you'll get the hang of it and hopefully the nausea goes away.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Flightgame
Rank 1
Rank 1
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon May 25, 2020 8:40 pm

Re: Newbie Pilot Training Questions

Post by Flightgame »

Congrats on starting your Flight Training. Most students get better in a few flights. Power through it.

1. Eat something so that you have enough energy. Not too much.

2. Good sleep the night before is important.

3. Dont slouch when you sit. Try to sit straight. It helps

4. Breathe.

5. Fly the plane more.. try to reduce the time spent in watching the instructor FAM demo each exercises.

6. Have sick sacks ready, tell you instructor as soon as you feel sick. Its team work.

7. Keep flights short (.5-.6 hobbs)

8. Try to schedule your flights in the morning or evening. When the air is stable.

9. Try to get into some rides in theme parks to get used to g forces.

10. There are some exercises that you can do daily to help you ease into it. One that I know, is to stand up, spin on the spot to 180 degrees, and stop. And repeat. There are also some breathing techniques.


I know its difficult to find info about this. But there is some old airforce document on this topic. You will have to do some digging.

It also takes a week or so to feel comfortable im being suspended in the air from a sketchy looking metal box. Lol. In time, you will learn its super trustworthy.


Most important of all, dont give up. I've seen so many students who had these problems. All of them are commercial pilots now :)
---------- ADS -----------
 
TalkingPie
Rank 3
Rank 3
Posts: 170
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2019 11:39 am
Location: YUL

Re: Newbie Pilot Training Questions

Post by TalkingPie »

In my case I felt a little queasy in the beginning if there was turbulence, and after the first few times doing spins and spirals I felt off for the remainder of the day. And this is after having spent thousands of hours as a non-pilot in airliners.

I got used to it and it no longer bothers me. The advice I got from an aerobatics instructor echoes what is offered in this thread: contrary to what you might think, don't go up on an empty stomach.

It's also quite normal to feel tired/spent after an hour of flying in the beginning. The more you do it, the less physically taxing it becomes.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Post Reply

Return to “Flight Training”