Mildly airsick during IFR training in moderate turbulence

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drotto

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drotto
This just happened to me once a few weeks ago. It was a day under foggles, not true IMC, and we were getting bounced around. It was likely the most turbulent day I have ever been up. I had the glasses on about 1 hr, and just told the CFI I needed them off. I never actually got sick, but was told later I did not look so good. On a plus note, I executed a near perfect crosswind landing (even while a little off), with guests that had to be near the demonstrated max crosswind.

Is this an issue going forward? Something I will adjust to (except after repeated unusual attitudes I never had issues in PPL training)? Is is better or worse with foggles or in real IMC?
 
Probably just because of the conditions. Was it warm too inside the cockpit? Iusually can notice a student starting to get in a condition like that and cut the lesson short. Students should do the same if they're maxed out or about to become ill. Just inform the CFI let's go back before I give you a coating you won't forget!
 
I got queasy a few times during my training. I don't think this is unusual.
 
Vision restriction devices are notorious for causing all kinds of discomfort, including queasiness. That's why my CFII and I tried our best to fly as much IMC as possible during my IR training. Even my check ride was in IMC.
 
All else fails tuck your shirt it and barf down your collar, or at least that's what we used to tell folks.

Better yet, fly during night or in IMC or sim it where you don't really need the foggles.
 
Not unusual... happens to me as well when under the hood and doing a maneuver that really sloshes the inner ear fluid around.

As other said, consider keeping the cabin temp a bit cooler, direct the air vents to a comfortable spot on face or head. And don't be afraid to ask the instructor for a short break of normal simple straight and level with the hood off.
 
I had the same thing under the hood doing unusual attitudes. We had to stop for the day as I couldn't shake it. Now before the flight I had a big greasy calzone, so that may have contributed to it. But the rest of the training I never had an issue.
 
It's a poison reflex - you inner ear and eyeballs don't agree, which evoloution has decided is a symptom of being poisoned; as in, those new berries sure looked and tasted good, but. . .

Too warm, too cold, eating or not eating breakfast, all pretty much not factors. Except to influence the quantity of what you hurl. That's the story we got from a USAF flight surgeon, in a chamber refresher class. Your body thinks you've ingested a poison, and a good survival adaptation is to ralph it up.
 
James331 said:
All else fails tuck your shirt it and barf down your collar, or at least that's what we used to tell folks.

Better yet, fly during night or in IMC or sim it where you don't really need the foggles.
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Did an IPC in Sept.... Had to,rip,off the foggles during a LOc approach. The Airmet T was in full effect! It wa also very hot. Flew back to the home field to cool off, drink some water relax.

Went up a couple hours later.... Unusual attitudes, first one was OK but not bad. #2 I did a text book recovery, yelled, YOUR AIRPLANE#! and pomptly barfed down my shirt.

It happens. And it was the first time I have every been air sick. I've gotten queezy before, but never to this extent. It was the worst day in the air I have ever had. Ever!
 
The only time I've ever got queasy to the point I thought I was going to throw up was during IFR training. Not unusual unfortunately.
 
I must knock on wood, I never got any uneasy feeling during hood training or in actual IMC. Me and my CFII were trying very hard to get me spatially disoriented because I wanted to experience it with a professional on-board to be able to recognize it and mitigate it. No dice.

But I did get a pretty upset stomach feeling when my friend's friend was showing me his aerobatics routine in his T-6 ... from the inside. :D 4.5 G's put a definite strain on your stomach, trust me. :)

OP, this episode should not stop you from training. Find out whether it persists or gets better. No other way to find out but by flying some more!! Great solution, no? GO FLY! :thumbsup:
 
I've never gotten sick in flight. Even on windy, hot days with the foggles on I've never gotten sick. I almost always get sick when I go on boats. Never was a fan.
 
I used to get a little airsick and wheezy in IFR conditions, I found that the solution was to include an emotional support animal in the crew. Once I started taking Chainsaw on the flights everything was fine.

I will not fly hard IFR without him.

Ken
 

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ksandrew said:
I used to get a little airsick and wheezy in IFR conditions, I found that the solution was to include an emotional support animal in the crew. Once I started taking Chainsaw on the flights everything was fine.

I will not fly hard IFR without him.

Ken
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I assume you are aware that your companion's comb can also serve as a backup AHRS, guaranteed to stay straight up.
 
RotorDude said:
I assume you are aware that your companion's comb can also serve as a backup AHRS, guaranteed to stay straight up.
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I have a C.A.T. Back up attitude indicator.


Pull the cat out of the bag, throw it up in the air and however he lands on his feetis down. It's pretty easy actually. You just have to feed it once in a while, or borrow the cat from the MX hangar. That's usually easier. :yesnod:
 
Finally got to fly twice in the last week after a way to long period due to work, life, and weather. Put in about 3.5 hours using a hood as opposed to foggles (I hear hoods can be worse), and was just fine.
 
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