Motion sickness is a common challenge for many student pilots during flight training. The unfamiliar sensations of flight, combined with the constant movement and changes in altitude, can sometimes lead to nausea, dizziness, and discomfort.
Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to help manage and overcome motion sickness, ensuring it doesn’t interfere with your progress as a student pilot.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
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What causes motion sickness in flight training
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Tips for preventing motion sickness in the air
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Remedies for managing motion sickness when it occurs
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How to build tolerance to flight-induced motion sickness
✈️ Download: Our “Motion Sickness Relief Checklist” here for helpful tips to manage discomfort in flight.
Table of Contents
What Causes Motion Sickness in Flight Training?
Motion sickness occurs when there’s a mismatch between the movement your body feels and the movement your eyes perceive. In flight, your body senses the aircraft’s motion (such as pitching, rolling, and turning), but your inner ear and eyes may not be able to process the information in sync. This confusion sends mixed signals to your brain, leading to nausea and other symptoms of motion sickness.
For student pilots, this can be especially challenging when you’re just starting out. The constant motion, rapid changes in altitude, and unfamiliar sensations of flight can overwhelm your system, especially during maneuvers like turns, climbs, or descents.
Tips for Preventing Motion Sickness
Fortunately, there are several proactive steps you can take to prevent motion sickness during flight training:
1. Focus on the Horizon
One of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of motion sickness is to focus on the horizon during your flight. Keeping your gaze fixed on a steady point outside the aircraft helps to synchronize what your eyes are seeing with what your body is feeling.
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Look out the front window and keep your eyes on a distant, stable point like the horizon or the landscape below.
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Avoid focusing on the instruments or looking inside the cockpit too much.
2. Avoid Sudden Head Movements
Avoid making sudden head movements, as they can trigger or worsen motion sickness. Move your head slowly and deliberately when you need to look around. When transitioning between tasks, give yourself a few seconds to adjust to the movement.
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When performing maneuvers like steep turns, ease into the movement to give your body time to adjust.
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Let your instructor know if you’re feeling overwhelmed, so they can give you a break or slow down the maneuvers.
3. Keep Your Stomach Full, But Not Overstuffed
Flying on an empty stomach can increase the chances of feeling nauseous, while eating a large meal right before a flight can also exacerbate motion sickness. To help prevent nausea, eat light, balanced meals before your flight.
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Avoid greasy or spicy foods that may upset your stomach.
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Snack on foods like crackers, toast, or fruits that are easy to digest.
4. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can worsen the symptoms of motion sickness. Be sure to drink enough water before and during your flight to stay hydrated, but avoid consuming excessive amounts of caffeine or sugary drinks, as they can increase discomfort.
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Bring a water bottle with you to sip from during your pre-flight briefing and flight.
5. Use Acupressure
Acupressure wristbands, designed to apply gentle pressure to specific points on your wrists, can help reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. These wristbands are widely available and can provide relief during flights.
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Wear the bands before your flight to help prevent motion sickness.
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Adjust the pressure point as needed if you begin to feel nauseous.
Remedies for Motion Sickness
If you start to feel motion sickness during a flight, here are some remedies to help alleviate the discomfort:
1. Take Deep Breaths
Taking slow, deep breaths can help calm your body and relieve nausea. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. This can help reset your system and reduce the feelings of nausea.
2. Look Outside
As mentioned earlier, focusing on the horizon or a stable point outside the aircraft is crucial. If you’re feeling sick, try to look outside and give your brain the visual information it needs to reduce the confusion between what your body feels and what it’s seeing.
3. Use Ginger or Peppermint
Ginger and peppermint are both natural remedies known to reduce nausea. Many students find that having ginger candies, ginger ale, or peppermint tea on hand can help calm their stomachs during or after the flight.
4. Take Anti-Nausea Medication
If motion sickness persists or is particularly severe, you might consider over-the-counter anti-nausea medications like Dramamine or Bonine. These medications can help prevent or relieve symptoms of motion sickness, but they often cause drowsiness, so be sure to follow the recommended dosage and consider their side effects.
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Consult with your doctor or instructor before taking any medication to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for you.
Building Tolerance to Motion Sickness
The good news is that your body can often adapt to the motions of flying over time. Here are some strategies to build tolerance to motion sickness:
1. Start with Short Flights
If you’re prone to motion sickness, begin your flight training with shorter flights to gradually get used to the motion. Slowly increase the length of your flights as your body adjusts.
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You can also practice specific maneuvers on shorter flights to build your tolerance before progressing to more complex scenarios.
2. Gradual Exposure to Maneuvers
Start with simple maneuvers such as climbs and level flight, and gradually progress to more complex maneuvers like steep turns and stalls. The key is gradual exposure, allowing your body to adjust at a comfortable pace.
3. Flight Simulators
Incorporate flight simulators into your training. Simulators allow you to practice maneuvers and procedures without the physical effects of motion, helping you build confidence and reduce your sensitivity to motion sickness.
Final Thoughts
Motion sickness doesn’t have to hold you back from achieving your aviation dreams. By following these tips and utilizing remedies for motion sickness, you can reduce discomfort during flight training and continue progressing toward becoming a skilled and confident pilot.
✈️ Ready to fly without the fear of motion sickness? Download our “Motion Sickness Relief Checklist” here to manage discomfort on your next flight!