Motion Sickness

Student pilots frequently experience an uneasiness often described as motion sickness. It is probably a result of anxiety, unfamiliarity, and the motion of the airplane. Even experienced pilots can suffer from occasional motion sickness, usually a mild discomfort that isn't a serious threat to their ability to control an aircraft.

Of course, motion sickness can have serious repercussions even if it doesn't directly affect the pilot. An airplane full of airsick passengers is a very unpleasant place. Therefore all pilots should understand the causes of motion sickness and methods to relieve it.

Causes of Motion Sickness

Fsxear.bmp (162046 bytes) Motion sickness is caused by continued stimulation of the tiny portion of the inner ear that controls the sense of balance. Turbulence, abrupt maneuvering, warm temperatures, anxiety, and lack of outside visual references can contribute to or exacerbate motion sickness.

Symptoms

The symptoms of motion sickness are progressive. First, you lose your appetite. Then saliva collects in your mouth and you begin to perspire freely. Eventually, you become nauseated and disoriented. Your head aches and you may vomit. If the air sickness becomes severe enough, you may become completely incapacitated.

Coping With Motion Sickness

If you are susceptible to airsickness, do not take the preventive drugs that are available over the counter or by prescription (unless, of course, you are a passenger). These medications may make you drowsy or depress your brain functions in other ways. Most motion sickness drugs cause a temporary deterioration of flying skills and the ability to perform other tasks demanding keen judgment.If you suffer from airsickness, open the air vents, loosen your clothing, use oxygen, keep your eyes on a point outside the airplane, hold your head still, and avoid abrupt maneuvers. Then land as soon as possible. And always keep a supply of airsickness bags close at hand.

Vertigo

Vertigo, also known as "spatial disorientation," is a state of temporary confusion resulting from misleading information sent to the brain by various sensory organs.Spatial disorientation occurs most often in instrument meteorological conditions created by rain, fog, clouds, smoke, or dark nights. It is aggravated by lack of recent instrument experience or training, unfamiliarity with the aircraft or flight situation, fear or worry, and excessive head movements.

Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo typically occurs when turns and other maneuvers can cause the vestibular system—a set of tubes and other sensory organs in the inner ear—to send conflicting signals about the aircraft's orientation and movement. Without visual references, the pilot quickly becomes disoriented—unable to tell whether the airplane is flying straight and level, turning, climbing, or descending. To avoid or overcome vertigo, a pilot must rely on the flight instruments to verify the aircraft's attitude and maintain control.Vertigo can occur whenever outside visual reference is temporarily lost—for example, while reading a chart, changing a radio frequency, looking for something inside the cockpit, switching fuel tanks, and other activities. Nearly all experienced pilots have had a brush with vertigo, usually minor and of short duration.