Real pilots: what about G-load?

[Reflected]

Guys,

 

I started my GPL training a month ago. So far I love it, and  I’m advancing quite well. I’m close to my first solo flight and I think it’s because I’ve spent so much time playing simulators. I admit that real flying is very different, but still closer to sims than to nothing. 

 

So here’s the thing: yesterday we practiced spins. Single, double, half, etc…I did 20-25 of them in a matter of 2 hours, in 4 takeoffs. The first 3 takeoffs were really cool, I enjoyed the ride very much, but after and during the 4^th, I started to feel a bit strange. My stomach is usually very good for these things. Roller coasters, whatnot. But this constant spinning and then pulling out under 2-3 G-s had an effect on my body in the end. I didn’t throw up, but I felt a little dizzy and weak that evening.

 

For this I’m terribly ashamed of myself. I’m supposed to be ok with these if I want to be a glider pilot. And what about WWI/ II pilots? They had to sustain much more than this. Am I this weak? Or is it only the first time? Is it something I will get used to? My instructor did 3 times more than I, all in a row (with all 3 students), and he was perfectly fine at the age of 75...

 

Thanks,

Greg

[Gort]

20 spin recoveries on one flight is a lot for a new pilot. I can't see the need for so many spin (or any) maneuvers in one ppl hop, unless this is part of an aerobatic course to get you ready for the world championships. You are also under more stress than you may know, and that is often what causes pilots to become ill.

 

Make sure you are eating a decent meal before flying. Stay away from sugar and especially sugary beverages.

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

 And do not drink sodas before flight Poor colleague did and turned into a balloon gasing the passengers Luckily it was a military AC so we had a good laugh at it.

[Finkeren]

I don't fly myself, so I can't comment on the specifics, but I think it's quite common to react more strongly to physical strain that you're not used to. A decade ago I did some medieval reenactment for a short period. I was in all right shape at the time, but the strain of fighting in armor with metal weapons while all the time obeying the safety rules and watching both your opponent and your surroundings was tremendous and far beyond simply carrying the extra weight around.

 

20 spins in one session also sounds excessive tbh.

[Gort]

Had to be stressful to see your opponent's head laying on the ground after lopping it off too, eh? Did you get sick?

[DickDong]

Its like exercise your body will adapt...unless your mind is what made you sick aka nervousness.if thats the case hopefully repetition will calm your nerves and all will be well. Military doesnt even do 20 spins in a row in flight school anywhere I know of.

[DD_bongodriver]

20 spins in one session is too much, spinning is not even part of the training syllabus here in Europe anymore but it is optional, even if you do an aero's course only 1 demonstrated spin is required.

[Finkeren]

Had to be stressful to see your opponent's head laying on the ground after lopping it off too, eh? Did you get sick?

 

Nah, but I did slip on some entrails once and hurt my knee...

[Reflected]

Thanks for the replies. So it will get better. 20 spins were not in a row, but divided to 4 takeoffs, and also, we did single and half spins mostly, then recovered, then immediately another spin, and so on. So not consecutive ones. Up to the 4th takeoff I really enjoyed it, it was only towards the end that I felt..."tired"and dizzy.

[HeavyCavalrySgt]

That is a lot of spinning.  

 

What else were you doing in those lessons?    It would make sense if you were getting in a thermal and riding it to the top then flying out and spinning down a bit to find practice finding the thermal again, say getting established in it from different directions.  That many spins just for the sake of spinning seems a little odd to me.

[Charlo-VR]

Age is a factor, too.  When I was in my twenties and thirties in the 90's I really enjoyed aggressively collapsing and spiraling my canopy after hundreds of skydives. 

 

Than about 10 years ago I rode along with a friend in an aerobatic plane and I got nauseous pretty quickly.  Now even some extreme roller coasters make me nauseous. 

 

Very frustrating in both cases, though I think I may have felt better if I had been in control of the vehicle. 

 

Charlo

[Gort]

 

 

Very frustrating in both cases, though I think I may have felt better if I had been in control of the vehicle. 

 

Charlo

 

That is a good point. Flying the aircraft through these maneuvers results in less nausea than riding through them. In fact, when a passenger or student gets quiet and begins to turn green, it is a good idea to let them fly. It settles them down quickly, and takes their mind off of being sick. Even race car drivers who are used to G tend to get sick during aerobatics. I think a portion of it is because people are nervous about getting sick, so they naturally get sick!

 

I used to take the controls between ACM engagements while flying back to altitude. I'd debrief the engagement and settle my stomach while giving the student some time to relax and think without having to fly the airplane.

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

S!

 

 And do not drink sodas before flight Poor colleague did and turned into a balloon gasing the passengers Luckily it was a military AC so we had a good laugh at it.

Had a friend do that, too. Poor guy looked like they painted eyes on the Graf Zeppelin.

 

Anyways, OP, it happens. When I first started, I was terrified and weak-kneed about doing power-on stalls. Hundreds of hours later, I try to do them everytime I'm up to keep in practice. I do get a little motion sick myself in the winter, still. Just remember: Chuck in the bag, not out the window. I've had someone try to do that ones with their girlfriend in the seat behind him. I warned him not to try that, but he didn't listen. So, window pops open, he blows his lunch, and his girlfriend was polite enough to catch it with her face.

 

If it persists, adding to the advice of eating a good meal, consider ginger root pills. They genuinely work. Take them with your meal, have a big class of cold water, and you're good to go.

[Sternjaeger]

Reflected, there's nothing to be ashamed of, I still remember my first flight in a silly microlight on a very hot July day: the heat, the smell of petrol and oil, the claustrophobic cockpit and the crackling voice of the instructor on the intercom giving you a lot of (unnecessary) info... after just a 15 mins flight I was feeling terribly nauseous and all I could think of was landing.. but then as soon as I felt better I wanted to go again and again..

 

Eventually your body gets used to it, but at first you are simply new to that sort of stress, and yes, make sure you have a decent meal beforehand and avoid sugary drinks or food. 

 

Having said that, and since you're paying for the training, I'd recommend you ensure all that spinning is actually part of the expected syllabus, because it really has no purpose for a standard license.. 

Edited May 12, 2014 by Sternjaeger