A family dilemma (help)

[billnaz]

Pretreat with meclazine type antinausia meds. They are very effective. Try half a dose after a while, and as mentioned, your son will aclimatize, and eventually not need the meds.

[tlump51]

I would echo what everyone else has said and add this bit of advice. I find that working the rudder pedals to stay in coordinated flight at all times really helps with people prone to air sickness. Yawing back and forth seems to be a trigger for nausea. I fly a tandem (RV-4) so it's really important for the rear seat passenger who is a good distance from the CG. I'd imagine it has an effect in the side-by-sides as well.

Ted
RV-4, IO-360, CS Prop

[Jim F]

The pressure point wrist bands are called C-bands.... available at any pharmacy for a few bucks. They have a button that you locate over the nerve in the wrist.

They also have a psy. effect alieviating the fear of getting sick.
give 'em a try!

But the best advice is to let him fly the plane. That seems to always work.
Jim
RV-9A
N571DF 250hrs.

[RGGrant64]

Get him a pack of Beemans gum and teach him to fly! Got me through Navy flight school 25 years ago, sick as a dog every flight for first 20 or so. Fly him as much as you can and don't let him get discuraged.

[AaronG]

I have fairly severe motion sickness, but built up my tolerance over time. It was caused by nervousness (nervous I would get sick) combined with motion. Even today, I get sick when flying in others planes. In my RV, I can handle moderate turbulence indefinitely with no issue. Some items to try:

Slowly increase flights with time. Let your son know the flight will be short, and you will be on the ground before he gets sick (eliminates nervousness). Slowly increase times and start doing a few maneuvers (steep turns, stalls, etc) right before you land to build tolerance. Waiting till he gets sick makes it worse.

Have him take dramamine or whatever works for him. Slowly reduce dose to zero over time.

Fly on smooth days, keep him cold, and let him fly as much as possible.

I tried the electronic band towards the end, and never got sick, but I'm not sure if theband helped, or I had already built up the tolerance.

If he is nervous about flying, time will solve that. It was helpful for me to do a lot of stalls,unusual attitudes, etc (in very short flights) to build confidence and eliminate nervousness.

Finally, keep your feet on the rudder pedals to reduce tail wag.

Aaron

[DaveLS]

Just some thoughts to add to all the other ideas already presented.

Humor.

Background. The Naval Aerospace and Operational Medical Institute in Pensacola trains about spatial disorientation with a device call a mulit-station disorientation device. The large device hold 12 indivials at a time, each in their own individual gondola. It spins around like a merry go round with a few 'extra' motions. The device had a major vomit problem with the student Naval aviators. The solution turned out to be humor. They introduced a very hocky Star Treck theme and the vomit rate decreased very very much. When I rode it they still gave our plastic bags, but very few were needed/used.

I let my 5 year old take over the controls as soon as we were at a safe altitude out of the pattern. Before that her 'job' was to spot other aircraft - keep her eyes out of the aircraft and her frame of reference the horizon.

Cool smooth air, steady smooth control inputs, announcing intentions before doing, and a relaxed humerous attitude go a long way.

I've used the humor trick several time with people on the edge and it has worked every time so far.

Hope this helps, Dave

[GLHRV7A]

Steve, believe it or not, I got over my air sickness after riding the roller coaster several times at the amusement park. After a couple of rides, I learned to relax.
All the best,
Gary H.

[gorbak]

Marezene. Best stuff I have ever shared with individuals that get seasick/airsick. Sporty's has this in their catalog. This does not give a person that dry mouth drowsy feeling at all (avoid Dramamine). It takes affect in less than 5 minutes, even when one is feeling queazy. I have given this to individuals in 20' rough seas in the Pacific and it works. I have been blessed and never had motion sickness but I am convinced it is because I am operating the equipment and it keeps my mind active on the task at hand.

Pat Garboden
RV9A N942PT (reserved)
Waiting for FAA inspection
VAF dues paid 2012

[terrykohler]

Don't fly on an empty stomach
Keep properly hydrated
Fly in the morning or evening when the air is "smoother"
Keep the fresh air blowing
Keep the hot sun off the noggin
Avoid abrupt maneuvers (no showing off)
Keeps turns at standard rate or less
Climbs and descents at 500 fpm or less
Explain/announce each maneuver beforehand
No stalls
Keep the eyes outside as much as possible
Focus on the horizon-it's the most stable picture
Let your passenger handle the controls
Meds and devices - everyone responds differently - experiment.

Most importantly, make sure they're not afraid to tell you they don't feel good, then land as soon as possible. The brain is getting mixed messages from the eyes and the postural senses and the only way to effectively stop it quickly Is to get both feet on the ground. Lying down won't help much unless at least one foot is on the floor and the lights are on. BTW, the latter advice comes from a leading Naval Flight Surgeon and is also a "cure" for the dreaded "bed spins".
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP