Flying Lessons...

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Scarpozzi

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
I started flying lessons a week or so ago. All was well the first day....we did straight and level flight and 30 degree banks. The next day, we did 45 degree turns. I have no trouble keeping my altitude and everything, but I get major vertigo. It ended up making me feel a little sick (of course, it was about 95 degrees that day and there was little air in the cockpit too).

I don't do well when I spin around a lot or get in a boat and do side to side motion.


Is there anything I can do to prevent feeling this way or do I just need to practice and get used to it? Also, what's the best foods to eat before going up so I don't feel sick again?

(one more question...if anyone's taken the written test, how difficult is it?)
 
OutHouse

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
the only manuver that bothered me were steep turns at night i get dizzy and nausous. The other manuver that bothered me was power-on stalls, i wouldnt get sick with that one but it scared the hell out of me. Im definatly no fighter pilot.

the only other time i felt sick was doing a lot of touch and gos, it was a hot day and a little bumpy, after 6-8 of those i told the instructor that i have enough and did a full stop.

the written test is a piece of cake. the study guide from sportys has nearly every single question that is on the FAA test. the test that you sould really worry about is the check ride with the FAA tester. you get no second chances with him/her.
 
Scarpozzi

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
Originally posted by: Citrix
the only manuver that bothered me were steep turns at night i get dizzy and nausous. The other manuver that bothered me was power-on stalls, i wouldnt get sick with that one but it scared the hell out of me. Im definatly no fighter pilot.

the only other time i felt sick was doing a lot of touch and gos, it was a hot day and a little bumpy, after 6-8 of those i told the instructor that i have enough and did a full stop.
Click to expand...

Heat definitely played a part in my feeling bad last time. It was 95 degrees outside temp and there just wasn't enough air coming through the little vent. I had sweat on my forehead and I don't sweat that easy.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: Citrix
the only manuver that bothered me were steep turns at night i get dizzy and nausous. The other manuver that bothered me was power-on stalls, i wouldnt get sick with that one but it scared the hell out of me. Im definatly no fighter pilot.

the only other time i felt sick was doing a lot of touch and gos, it was a hot day and a little bumpy, after 6-8 of those i told the instructor that i have enough and did a full stop.

the written test is a piece of cake. the study guide from sportys has nearly every single question that is on the FAA test. the test that you sould really worry about is the check ride with the FAA tester. you get no second chances with him/her.
Click to expand...

That's a good quality for a pilot to have...
 
OutHouse

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: Citrix
the only manuver that bothered me were steep turns at night i get dizzy and nausous. The other manuver that bothered me was power-on stalls, i wouldnt get sick with that one but it scared the hell out of me. Im definatly no fighter pilot.

the only other time i felt sick was doing a lot of touch and gos, it was a hot day and a little bumpy, after 6-8 of those i told the instructor that i have enough and did a full stop.

the written test is a piece of cake. the study guide from sportys has nearly every single question that is on the FAA test. the test that you sould really worry about is the check ride with the FAA tester. you get no second chances with him/her.
Click to expand...

That's a good quality for a pilot to have...
Click to expand...

hehe yip. that night we did about 5 turns each left and right. they just arent turns but tight steep circles and the instructor made me complete 4 circles then have me do another set turning the other way. uggg that was not a good night.

 
N

NogginBoink

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
5,322
0
0
Steep turns in hot weather can be awful. I remember telling my flight instructor, "okay, I think I'm done for the day" on days like that.

Don't be afraid to tell your instructor that you're ready to quit for the day.

 
uallas5

uallas5

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2005
1,647
1,910
136
Heat can def make matters worse, especially if you're not getting good ventilation in the cockpit. It's so long ago but I seem to remember 152's had window vents, anything like that in what you fly? Only time I really felt bad was steep turns over a point when I was a bit hungover. Prob shouldn't have eaten a large breakfast that morning, though I've heard everything about what you should or shouldn't eat.

One piece of advise for your long solo's: If your a guy bring an empty bottle, preferably one with a wider mouth. Imagine trying to land in a cross wind at night having to pee so bad my back teeth were floating and you'll understand why.
 
Y

Yossarian

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
18,010
1
81
make sure you're keeping your head upright. some students have a tendency to tilt their head in the direction of the turn.

the written is totally easy if you spend any time studying. can't be too hard when they give you all the answers ahead of time.

I'm a ground instructor, working on my CFI, so PM me if you have any questions.

if you aren't already a member I highly recommend joining http://www.aopa.org/ Student pilots get a free 6-month membership which includes a decent flight training magazine. plus the forums there are very helpful.

 
S

StevenYoo

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2001
8,628
0
0
I know nothing about these small planes people take lessons in.

How many safeguard measures are there in those things?

If you mess up some maneuver, can the instructor immediately take over and recover?

If there's a hardware malfunction, are there ways around it so you don't die?
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: StevenYoo
I know nothing about these small planes people take lessons in.

How many safeguard measures are there in those things?

If you mess up some maneuver, can the instructor immediately take over and recover?

If there's a hardware malfunction, are there ways around it so you don't die?
Click to expand...

Well, they glide fairly well and they are pretty sturdy. Still, you have to be religious about maintenance and pre-flight checks.

You obviously don't want to lose an engine since most small planes only have one to begin with but I think keeping a cool head in an emergency situation will do more to ensure your survival than anything.

BTW-I'm not a pilot but I have flown in these planes a number of times and have known a few people who've owned them over the years.
 
W

WannaFly

Platinum Member
Jan 14, 2003
2,811
1
0
Originally posted by: Yossarian
make sure you're keeping your head upright. some students have a tendency to tilt their head in the direction of the turn.

the written is totally easy if you spend any time studying. can't be too hard when they give you all the answers ahead of time.

I'm a ground instructor, working on my CFI, so PM me if you have any questions.

if you aren't already a member I highly recommend joining http://www.aopa.org/ Student pilots get a free 6-month membership which includes a decent flight training magazine. plus the forums there are very helpful.
Click to expand...


I also highly recommend AOPA - its a great resource. I have my private license, but havent flown in almost 2 years due to $$ reasons :( I training here in florida and remember those 95 degree days, as said before dont be afraid to tel lthe instructor you are done for the day or even if you want to open the window to get more air in.

I cant help for the vertigo/sickness - i've done all sorts of aerobatics (snap rolls, barrel rolls, loops, etc) and didnt really have a problem.

As for the written, buy the blue ASA (i think) study book - its got alow of pertinant information in it.

Good luck with your lessons, it was the time of my life :)
 
Y

Yossarian

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
18,010
1
81
Originally posted by: StevenYoo
I know nothing about these small planes people take lessons in.

How many safeguard measures are there in those things?

If you mess up some maneuver, can the instructor immediately take over and recover?

If there's a hardware malfunction, are there ways around it so you don't die?
Click to expand...

aircraft used for rentals have to be inspected by a certified mechanic after every 100 hours of flight time so they're generally pretty well maintained.

there are 2 sets of flight controls so the instructor can easily take over if you mess up too bad. but instructors will let you mess up "a little bit" because if you can't fix your own mistakes you will never be a good pilot.

insurance companies estimate the risk of flying small planes on par with riding a motorcycle. the biggest risk you have is a midair collision, which is why you are trained from day one to "keep your eyes outside" and looking for other aircraft.

training aircraft are pretty simple machines. as long as the engine's running and the controls are working you don't have much to worry about. if the engine fails, you can glide for roughly 1 mile for every 1000 feet of altitude. unless you're over the mountains you usually have a good chance to find a suitable landing spot.
 
K

KMc

Golden Member
Jan 26, 2007
1,149
0
76
Originally posted by: StevenYoo
I know nothing about these small planes people take lessons in.

How many safeguard measures are there in those things?

If you mess up some maneuver, can the instructor immediately take over and recover?

If there's a hardware malfunction, are there ways around it so you don't die?
Click to expand...

There's really nothing to worry about. The number of landings is ALWAYS equal to the number of takeoffs.
 
O

osgoor

Junior Member
Mar 7, 2007
13
0
0
Been flying off and on for 10+ years and turns are difficult at first. A tip that works for me is to look way out to the horizon and try to maintain the nose to that line or just a tad higher (depending on airplane). Glance at your turn indicator often to maintain the angle and don't forget to step on the ball.

Good luck :)
 
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,561
7,238
136
Just keep practicing. It takes some people a number of flights to get used to flying. It took me a good 10 or 20 flights to get used to the way airplanes flew. My brother, on the other hand, has never had a problem and has actually fallen asleep in small planes (not while flying!). The real key to flight training is to stick with it and don't quit.
 
The Stigenator

The Stigenator

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
lol i got sick on my first flight.. damn heat.. it was 110 outside and about 120+ inside.. it was hot.. and i dehydrated and became hot and threw up.. ugh!

I swear i need a plane with an AC.. Though i like the new Diamond Aircraft.. if i had 300K or so.. yummy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom