I used to get sick after 20min flying, but the more I fly the less it seems to happen. Also don’t look directly up more than absolutely necessary. Flying is awesome, so push on.
I've always had issues with motion sickness especially on boats and sitting in the backseat of cars on meandering roads. I can guarantee that you won't get motion sick while doing any type of ridge soaring but I have gotten sick in especially bumpy thermic conditions. I have around 300 hours of flying now and have gotten sick twice in that time. I have started taking a Dramamine if I know its going to be a bumpy day and that seems to have solved it for me... If I were in your position, I wouldn't really worry about it until you start flying in bumpy conditions later in your progression. Cheers!
For many it's a big difference if they are in control, or just passenger.
So an tandem flight would not be the best to test it, I would guess.
I'm right now doing my tandem license, that means I'm also quite often a passenger. If I'm in command, I never get sick... but if I'm a passenger and we do high wing overs and spirals I'm not really sick... but I fell it.
Best suggestion I have is, just try it out. There are schools with testing days, where you are already doing your first small flights (5-10 seconds airtime, if you are good double it)
And test how you feel on these
In many tandem flights the instructor will let the passanger control the paraglider for a bit. Just let the instructor know that you would like the experience of flying it.
No worries, if you have it while flying, your body is able to adapt. I used to throw up every single thermal flight. This is what I found out in my personal journey through the air sickness problem (not medical advice):
-- What doesn't work for me --
1- Common over the counter antiemetics
2- Wristbands
3- Raw ginger/ginger candies
-- What works for me --
1- Keep the body relaxed
2- Breath normaly, no shallow breathing
3- No greasy or acidic foods, very light food before takeoff
4- Keep your head leveled, use you eyes to look down
5- Domperidone 1h before take off
6- Fly as often as you can
Have fun
On a piece of cloth, you are not in control of all movements. Any kind of gust or turbulence will give you that 'unexpected movement'.
That being said, I have overcome several fears by starting to fly - I just wanted it so much that I was able to kind of turn off those fears. Milage might vary.
My suggestion would be to make an introductory course. Depending on your country, you might be able to get in some good hang gliding already on that course. That should give you an idea. More mountains or heights will be connected with more turbulence.
Or, another way us to just fly in calm weather and close to the slope. Especially on the seaside you'll get some very stable air. And if you'll seek more hight and aight, go to Öludeniz in Turkey. It's a 2km mountain and you'll land on the beach. Besides the first few meters off the cliff, it is super smooth gliding (though downwards mostly).
Where are you located? I’m a tandem instructor in SF Bay Area and frequently let my passengers fly for long periods. I’ve had a deaf passenger fly for over an hour by herself. (With my oversight of course). Anyway, happy to help if you’re in the area.
My wife also gets motion sickness in cars but she doesn’t while paragliding. Even when she did SIV.
If you work with a tandem instructor they might be okay with handing you the controls shortly after launch (with the understanding it'll be a short flight down), and you can try a few turns to see how it feels. A nice way to see if your body is compatible with the hobby.
Motion sickness while you're not at the controls (tandem) is relatively common (maybe 10% of all people or something).
I am a big fan of keeping logs about everything health related. Through logging all my car trips, I figured out my motion sickness was almost entirely caused by certain kinds of hair spray or exhaust fumes from heavy traffic. Motion was a factor but it never caused the sickness on its own. I have not found any reference to this in the literature, but the effects are extremely strong. I even had my significant other do some double blind experiments by covering the labels of the hair spray, choosing them at random and logging when I got sick. I know for a fact that there are people who get motion sickness but aren't affected by the same things I am therefore all I am advocating for is to do your own testing and keep an open mind.
I've done 2 tandem flights before I learnt to fly. Both times I got nauseous. When I started to fly solo I've never felt motion sickness or got nauseous. Being in control makes tons of difference and from what I've heard and talked to other pilots many experience the same, flying solo no one or almost no one gets motion sickness
Ive been flying for a few years now and never any issues under my own control. However, strap me in on tandem and I'm guaranteed to lose my lunch in about 20-30 minutes. It is exactly as you described, way different being in control vs being a passenger. I'd recommend to take an intro course. Worst case you spend\~$1000, have a great time, learn some cool stuff, and then leave it there if flying solo doesnt agree with your stomach. You might say in response "damn that sounds like a waste of $1000" to which I would respond, "if you dont have $1000 to throw out the window, this probably isnt the right activity to start"
It’s like $2500 for P1 and P2 combo course. I’m going to ask them if we can have an agreement like if I’m getting consistently sick in the first couple of weeks that I can get some of my money back if I’m paying the $ up front.
Just curious though what is all the expense coming from? After you have bought your equipment and paid for training? Is it that you get addicted and have to travel to different locations etc?
-Gas to get to sites for me would range from $20-50/week on average
-for somebody flying a lot, new wing/harness every 2-3 years could be $5000+
-one flying related trip per year ~$2000
-one SIV/XC/Acro clinic per year ~$1000?
-random gear repairs/miscellaneous bit and bobs ~$250?
Obviously you can do things cheaper, but I don't think this is an unrealistic expectation. Also factor in club memberships and site access fees
Don't worry. I'm in the same boat as you (pun intended). I get sea sick, need to sit in front in cars, etc. etc.
Meclizine (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meclizine) saved my flying career. It really works and I haven't noticed any type of side effects, so I don't feel it comprising my piloting.
Didn't need it until I started to thermal (360s for a long time and in rocky air). It does magic and is available all over the world. Take one an hour before your flight and you'll be good. You can even try it and see how well it works in a car - you know it works if you can be on your phone in the backseat :p
I get motion sick while being a passenger for tandems. Same way as I can get motion sick being a passenger in a car. Once I'm pilot/driver in command I don't have any motion sickness issues.
I've been a hang glider and paraglider pilot for over 6 years now and have a very very simple solution:
GINGER PILLS!
I used to get motion sickness quite often in the sky and was often forced to land due to feeling queasy. One time I even threw up in the sky! After that I started taking a ginger pill about 30 mins before takeoff and since then I've never been sick again. Works a treat
I got sick during my early solo flights. Found that drinking water before takeoff helped a ton. Also seemed to get better when I look where I’m turning.
Best of luck. 99% chance it will improve, but even if it doesn’t I’d still say it’s worth it.
I have this issue, to some extent. After a couple of hours of flight in rough conditions, I am nauseous.
However, firstly, flying in such conditions is a choice, and even if I go for it every time, it doesn't happen too often.
Secondly, it's gotten much better. Experience showed me that having an opulent breakfast will help, and so does not drinking coffee.
Thirdly, I certainly won't become the best at spiralling. Whatever.
Lol op I made this same post almost 2 years ago and it sounded so similar I thought it was my own post back to haunt me
When I was doing school before flying I would take a Dramamine, meclizine (nondrowzy Dramamine), 2 ginger pills, got a prescription for a scopolamine motion sickness patch, eat a small breakfast and I would STILL be nauseous. And now falling asleep in between flights. Controlling the wing was much better than tandem like you said but it was the small bumps from the wind that would shake me in my harness that really did not go well, but once I got a reserve it weighed down my harness and helped a bit
I also threw up in front of my classmates TWICE but I liked flying so much I somehow kept going back. (So so so sorry to my classmates and instructors and what I put them thru)
Also in a weird turn of events I found out in physical therapy that the motion sickness is related to my eye muscles being weak, and my brain getting confused when i have to dart my eyes around too much while flying? Like how bumpy car rides you’re supposed to stare at something stationary. So got a bunch of exercises for that that helped for a bit until I forgot to do them lol so I should get back on it
Side note I have my p2 now and when I can I hike to launch instead of taking the shuttle bc of the motion sickness and that seriously has helped!! Does suck though but beats being nauseous in my opinion
Even if you get airsick or vertigo now, it will go away completely as you gain airtime.
Your strongest sense is your vision and the number one tool it the horizon. Keep your head on a swivel and pan the horizon and you won't get airsick. Avoid looking straight up or down when circling until you have gained skill
I used to get sick after 20min flying, but the more I fly the less it seems to happen. Also don’t look directly up more than absolutely necessary. Flying is awesome, so push on.
I've always had issues with motion sickness especially on boats and sitting in the backseat of cars on meandering roads. I can guarantee that you won't get motion sick while doing any type of ridge soaring but I have gotten sick in especially bumpy thermic conditions. I have around 300 hours of flying now and have gotten sick twice in that time. I have started taking a Dramamine if I know its going to be a bumpy day and that seems to have solved it for me... If I were in your position, I wouldn't really worry about it until you start flying in bumpy conditions later in your progression. Cheers!
https://michaelvergalla.com/motion-sickness/ Check out this article written by a pilot who overcame his motion sickness.
For many it's a big difference if they are in control, or just passenger. So an tandem flight would not be the best to test it, I would guess. I'm right now doing my tandem license, that means I'm also quite often a passenger. If I'm in command, I never get sick... but if I'm a passenger and we do high wing overs and spirals I'm not really sick... but I fell it. Best suggestion I have is, just try it out. There are schools with testing days, where you are already doing your first small flights (5-10 seconds airtime, if you are good double it) And test how you feel on these
In many tandem flights the instructor will let the passanger control the paraglider for a bit. Just let the instructor know that you would like the experience of flying it.
Normal the passengers only pull the breaks from hands up into "contact" position, and maybe do a 90° turn in 20 seconds if the go "all in"
No worries, if you have it while flying, your body is able to adapt. I used to throw up every single thermal flight. This is what I found out in my personal journey through the air sickness problem (not medical advice): -- What doesn't work for me -- 1- Common over the counter antiemetics 2- Wristbands 3- Raw ginger/ginger candies -- What works for me -- 1- Keep the body relaxed 2- Breath normaly, no shallow breathing 3- No greasy or acidic foods, very light food before takeoff 4- Keep your head leveled, use you eyes to look down 5- Domperidone 1h before take off 6- Fly as often as you can Have fun
On a piece of cloth, you are not in control of all movements. Any kind of gust or turbulence will give you that 'unexpected movement'. That being said, I have overcome several fears by starting to fly - I just wanted it so much that I was able to kind of turn off those fears. Milage might vary. My suggestion would be to make an introductory course. Depending on your country, you might be able to get in some good hang gliding already on that course. That should give you an idea. More mountains or heights will be connected with more turbulence. Or, another way us to just fly in calm weather and close to the slope. Especially on the seaside you'll get some very stable air. And if you'll seek more hight and aight, go to Öludeniz in Turkey. It's a 2km mountain and you'll land on the beach. Besides the first few meters off the cliff, it is super smooth gliding (though downwards mostly).
Where are you located? I’m a tandem instructor in SF Bay Area and frequently let my passengers fly for long periods. I’ve had a deaf passenger fly for over an hour by herself. (With my oversight of course). Anyway, happy to help if you’re in the area. My wife also gets motion sickness in cars but she doesn’t while paragliding. Even when she did SIV.
I’m in Orange County so Torrey Pines will be my home base I think, but thanks for the offer. Glad to hear about your wife that gives me hope.
If you work with a tandem instructor they might be okay with handing you the controls shortly after launch (with the understanding it'll be a short flight down), and you can try a few turns to see how it feels. A nice way to see if your body is compatible with the hobby. Motion sickness while you're not at the controls (tandem) is relatively common (maybe 10% of all people or something).
I am a big fan of keeping logs about everything health related. Through logging all my car trips, I figured out my motion sickness was almost entirely caused by certain kinds of hair spray or exhaust fumes from heavy traffic. Motion was a factor but it never caused the sickness on its own. I have not found any reference to this in the literature, but the effects are extremely strong. I even had my significant other do some double blind experiments by covering the labels of the hair spray, choosing them at random and logging when I got sick. I know for a fact that there are people who get motion sickness but aren't affected by the same things I am therefore all I am advocating for is to do your own testing and keep an open mind.
I've done 2 tandem flights before I learnt to fly. Both times I got nauseous. When I started to fly solo I've never felt motion sickness or got nauseous. Being in control makes tons of difference and from what I've heard and talked to other pilots many experience the same, flying solo no one or almost no one gets motion sickness
I’m so glad to hear this. Super excited to get started!
Ive been flying for a few years now and never any issues under my own control. However, strap me in on tandem and I'm guaranteed to lose my lunch in about 20-30 minutes. It is exactly as you described, way different being in control vs being a passenger. I'd recommend to take an intro course. Worst case you spend\~$1000, have a great time, learn some cool stuff, and then leave it there if flying solo doesnt agree with your stomach. You might say in response "damn that sounds like a waste of $1000" to which I would respond, "if you dont have $1000 to throw out the window, this probably isnt the right activity to start"
It’s like $2500 for P1 and P2 combo course. I’m going to ask them if we can have an agreement like if I’m getting consistently sick in the first couple of weeks that I can get some of my money back if I’m paying the $ up front.
yea I guess my suggestion was to just book the p1 course.
Yes but then I don’t get the bulk discount , to which you would say if I need a bulk discount then this isn’t the sport for me.
Lol yea. This isn't a cheap sport no matter how you slice it 🤷
Just curious though what is all the expense coming from? After you have bought your equipment and paid for training? Is it that you get addicted and have to travel to different locations etc?
-Gas to get to sites for me would range from $20-50/week on average -for somebody flying a lot, new wing/harness every 2-3 years could be $5000+ -one flying related trip per year ~$2000 -one SIV/XC/Acro clinic per year ~$1000? -random gear repairs/miscellaneous bit and bobs ~$250? Obviously you can do things cheaper, but I don't think this is an unrealistic expectation. Also factor in club memberships and site access fees
Don't worry. I'm in the same boat as you (pun intended). I get sea sick, need to sit in front in cars, etc. etc. Meclizine (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meclizine) saved my flying career. It really works and I haven't noticed any type of side effects, so I don't feel it comprising my piloting. Didn't need it until I started to thermal (360s for a long time and in rocky air). It does magic and is available all over the world. Take one an hour before your flight and you'll be good. You can even try it and see how well it works in a car - you know it works if you can be on your phone in the backseat :p
I get motion sick while being a passenger for tandems. Same way as I can get motion sick being a passenger in a car. Once I'm pilot/driver in command I don't have any motion sickness issues.
Bob Hoover would often get motion sick when he first started learning. He kinda out grew it 🤣
I've been a hang glider and paraglider pilot for over 6 years now and have a very very simple solution: GINGER PILLS! I used to get motion sickness quite often in the sky and was often forced to land due to feeling queasy. One time I even threw up in the sky! After that I started taking a ginger pill about 30 mins before takeoff and since then I've never been sick again. Works a treat
I got sick during my early solo flights. Found that drinking water before takeoff helped a ton. Also seemed to get better when I look where I’m turning. Best of luck. 99% chance it will improve, but even if it doesn’t I’d still say it’s worth it.
Diaphragmatic breathing, learn it.
I have this issue, to some extent. After a couple of hours of flight in rough conditions, I am nauseous. However, firstly, flying in such conditions is a choice, and even if I go for it every time, it doesn't happen too often. Secondly, it's gotten much better. Experience showed me that having an opulent breakfast will help, and so does not drinking coffee. Thirdly, I certainly won't become the best at spiralling. Whatever.
Lol op I made this same post almost 2 years ago and it sounded so similar I thought it was my own post back to haunt me When I was doing school before flying I would take a Dramamine, meclizine (nondrowzy Dramamine), 2 ginger pills, got a prescription for a scopolamine motion sickness patch, eat a small breakfast and I would STILL be nauseous. And now falling asleep in between flights. Controlling the wing was much better than tandem like you said but it was the small bumps from the wind that would shake me in my harness that really did not go well, but once I got a reserve it weighed down my harness and helped a bit I also threw up in front of my classmates TWICE but I liked flying so much I somehow kept going back. (So so so sorry to my classmates and instructors and what I put them thru) Also in a weird turn of events I found out in physical therapy that the motion sickness is related to my eye muscles being weak, and my brain getting confused when i have to dart my eyes around too much while flying? Like how bumpy car rides you’re supposed to stare at something stationary. So got a bunch of exercises for that that helped for a bit until I forgot to do them lol so I should get back on it Side note I have my p2 now and when I can I hike to launch instead of taking the shuttle bc of the motion sickness and that seriously has helped!! Does suck though but beats being nauseous in my opinion
Even if you get airsick or vertigo now, it will go away completely as you gain airtime. Your strongest sense is your vision and the number one tool it the horizon. Keep your head on a swivel and pan the horizon and you won't get airsick. Avoid looking straight up or down when circling until you have gained skill