A centered ball, and other motion sickness remedies

The FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge explains that motion sickness “is caused by the brain receiving conflicting messages about the state of the body.” The way we fly can either contribute to or help prevent motion sickness for our passengers.

Try to put your passengers at ease during your preflight briefing. First-timers might be nervous. The handbook notes that anxiety and stress can contribute to motion sickness.

Flying coordinated (keeping the ball centered) during turns, climbs, and descents is one of the most important techniques. Passengers, particularly those in the back, will feel the airplane yaw during uncoordinated flight. Feeling that sideways movement in the seat of the pants repeatedly and over extended periods of time can make the stomach queasy.

Maintaining shallow climbs and descents, about 500 feet per minute or less, and avoiding large, sudden pitch changes will help also. Smooth changes in pitch, power, and bank will help passengers feel better.

Try to fly passengers during periods of relatively calm air, such as during sunrise or sunset. Uneven heating of the earth’s surface, especially during the summer, can produce turbulence that might make them feel nauseous. Avoid flying right below a layer of cumulus clouds where you are more likely to get bounced around. If the cumulus clouds are scattered, consider flying above them for smoother air.

Flying over passengers’ houses is often a favorite highlight for first-timers; just be careful not to circle too many times. Circling for extended periods of time can make passengers feel ill.

Even when you fly to your best abilities, some passengers still might suffer the symptoms of motion sickness. Follow the standard protocols—open air vents, have them look at the horizon, and get a Sic-Sac ready. But you can also go the extra mile to help ensure comfort. Keep a few simple items in your flight bag to give to passengers at the beginning of the flight to help prevent motion sickness or minimize the symptoms. Pressure point bands designed to mitigate motion sickness are inexpensive and might help provide relief—they work for some but not all. Candy and gum may also help—even better if you find some with ginger to further help calm a queasy stomach.

Those who know they are prone to motion sickness might skip eating before a flight, but one aerobatic instructor encouraged her students who dealt with the issue to eat something bland and light, like a bagel, before flying.

Offer a water bottle for them to have throughout the flight. Small sips of water can help with a number of issues, from an upset stomach to clearing pressure in the ears.

Pack a spray bottle with water. Flight instructor Mary Latimer uses a mist fan to spray cold water on the back of passengers’ necks to calm motion sickness. A cool, wet rag can also be helpful to reduce nausea or to just help prevent passengers from overheating on hot days while taxiing to and from the runway on the ground.

By being smooth on the controls, flying in calm air, and offering items that can help reduce or prevent motion sickness, you’ll be on your way to providing a positive experience for your passengers.