Planespotta

Honestly, 99% of it is mental. One time, it was a little bumpy during the flight, and combined with the awkward smell of the cabin heat, I got a little queasy. I didn't toss my cookies, but for the entire next day, I felt sick until I got into the cockpit again, got up, and did a flight without getting sick. After that, I felt good as new, and haven't gotten sick since (and have flown in some chop worse than that which initially induced the feeling). That flight convinced me that the majority of it all is your mindset. Chew some gum, eat your gingersnaps, do whatever helps, but when push comes to shove, if you think you're going to get sick and dwell on this thought, you probably will.

EDIT: Maybe this can help.
http://airlinepilotforums.com/showth...ht=airsickness

j3gibbon

heck yeah, got sick every time practicing spins in a Extra; got a sick on a hot turbulant day practicing IFR. You get over it. Maybe flight instructors should talk a little more about this so the students don't feel so afraid that they just aren't going to make it and that they are the only ones getting sick.

Oh and the gingersnap idea is a good one. I was watching mythbusters and they found that ginger piles actually help some people with motion sickness

Pilotpip

Keep your eyes outside. If you're being a good private pilot flying VFR you should get nearly all of your info from the outside. Turns, climbs, straight and level etc and all be done with only momentary looks inside to check your engine instruments and the 6 pack.

What does this do for you? By keeping your eyes outside and scanning you're not micromanaging and seeing every single small change in the aircraft. It also makes you a good private pilot.

I got sick the first couple times. It was a combination of the excitement and issues I've always had with motion sickness (I still don't like riding in the back of a plane or car). I got over it with time.

b18onboost

During my private training, I got really dizzy after doing a few unusual attitude recoveries. I think you just have to ride it out and get used to it. Even till now, I still don't like doing unusual attitude recovery. Take care

flyboyshell

These are the threads I like to read. Everyone is being encouraging! This is exactly how things should be.

celticpilot

Actually Chuck Yeager got sick on the first 8 or so flights that he took, so no worries. It is very common for students to feel this way on the first several flights. It just gets better as you go. But if it's been months and not days between flights, no progress will be made. You will need to build up a tollerence. It will happen.

I just keep an eye on the student and make sure that I haven't pushed them too far. Even instructors can get a bit queezy when doing some more advanced stuff. So don't worry.

But there are a few out there whom this is not something easily overcome (as was previously written about) it is rare. Flying should be a building block style of learning and not a "watch this" or a "let's see how much you can handle" type of thing.

Try to fly in the early mornings for a bit when it is mellow. If you are an afternoon only flyer, it will be harder for you. In Az in our warmer months (as in oven temp) the afternoons are very challenging for a new student (not impossible, just not comfortable). Mix it up and fly often. Don't do the once every two week or even once weekly thing. You will spend a hell of alot more money and not make much progress...

Good luck to you. You will overcome whatever you need to.

flyboy275

Yea dude you will be fine!!!

The first couple of flights i went up on i got sick as a dog!

I got discouraged just as you did, but trust me, that feeling will start to pass once you get antiquated with flying. Something that always helped me is to BE SURE TO EAT before you go flying, i know it sounds crazy.....but a full stomach is a more stable stomach.....at least for me!!!

But yea man, dont loose that motivation and let a little puke kill your dreams!

Swass

Not me. I have no experience with car sickness, air sickness, sea sickness whatsoever. The only reason I can think of is I was an olympic class gymnast in my younger years, lots of tumbling and swinging on (over) bars and twisting helps.

G1000

Threw up several times in my first 10 hours of training. My instructor still makes fun of me for it. I just kept coming on out and flying and now my body is used to it. Just push through it, and the rewards will come.