can someone help me decide if i should keep pursuing being an airline pilot?

Question

im 18 and have my PPL. i just started my instrument training and even though its pretty hard, i think i can get it. the problem is that i tend to get motion sickness if its bumpy and im not looking out the window but just at the instruments. i never puked but i just dont feel good. is being an airline pilot something i should keep pursuing and will i get used to the motion sickness or will it always come no matter how much i experience it?

Answer 1

While I've never been a victim of motion sickness myself, I've seen several professional pilots during my career that have the problem. It can affect anyone, and yes, it can be over come to an extent, or at least managed. One great pilot I remember was a female Lear Jet pilot who got sick nearly everytime she flew in the simulator. A recent study by the FAA suggested that 29% of airline pilots have been affected by some type of motion sickness, so you're not alone.

It may take a lot of time to overcome, or even get used to the feeling of motion sickness. Bear in mind that as you become more involved in the business, you may encounter some days where you can't look outside the window for many hours due to cloud coverage, and unfortunately this is usually where you find the roughest air. Of course, this is when you need to be the most alert in the aircraft. One of several methods to limit the motion sickness is to avoid moving your head about while on instruments, since the motion sickness is normally caused by the difference of what you perceive with your other senses, and the sensations coming from your inner ear canals.

You may want to speak with your flight surgeon regarding your condition, as they may be able to suggest a treatment that is both effective and will in no way hamper your ability to operate an aircraft. Medications for motion sickness are generally prohibited by pilots acting as a pilot in command of an aircraft as they affect your ability to do your job. Don't medicate yourself, or rely on an ordinary physician, as they may unknowingly prescribe something dangerous or illegal to fly with. There are some suggestions that ginger root can be an affective alternative to motion sickness drugs.

Additionally, ask your instrument instructor to consider taking you up the next time there is an overcast ceiling that you can fly in for a bit. That will give you some real "instrument meteorological condition" flight time and you can see if the motion sickness bothers you as much while you are in the actual clouds as opposed to under a hot, disorientating sight limiting device.

Hope these suggestions help you make a difficult decision. After years of hard work though, it should all pay off for you in the end. Below is a link to the FAA Medical Certification website that specifically talks about motion sickness in pilots and can give you some great additional information.

See ya in the sky!
First Officer, Boeing 747

Answer 2

Becoming an commercial pilot takes many years and a lot of money.

Finding work as a commercial pilot can be pretty hard.

So having said all that, why would you really want to be a pilot?

If you suffer a lot from motion sickness then it will makes things harder. You may find that over time it becomes less of a problem for you.

Motion sickness comes from the fact our eyes and inner ear are not coordinated. when you look at the horizon, you don't feel sick, but looking at instruments (reading a book on a bus etc) can make you feel sick.

The physical tests for commercial airline pilots are very hard and most airline pilots are forced to retire between the ages of 40-50.

You should talk to a doctor about the problem to see if there isn't a medical solution.

If you really want to be a pilot then do it. Any dream is possible if you put the time and effort into it. If you don't work on it, you won't succeed.

Answer 3

The motion sickness will pass. Once you get your CFII you will get to inflict, the same things you are experiencing, on others. It's a vicsious cycle. But, by then you'll be thinking about how fun it is to do those things.

I never had the passion to fly airplanes. I however did complete a short stint at DSU in western MS. The program was great. The instructors were all ex-captains and ex-millitary with what seemed to be an unlimited amount of knowledge to pass on.

the airline industry is one that I'm not too familiar with other than rumor. It seems to be infamous for starting out with very low pay until you gain some seniority.

As for me, I went the helicopter route. In my world, the pay starts out higher than airplanes, but it usually caps lower, down the road.

Answer 4

You'll eventually get used to the motion. Even the best people endure a bit of motion sickness to start.

I know everyone will say...never effected me! But in reality, few people get to experience the full onset of motion sickness and what causes it. Cruise ships don't count, if you get sick on a cruise ship. You'll get sick on a bicycle.

I spent the first 5 days on board a ship trying to collect my brains off the bulkheads. I would be fine, then it hit, I would slam into a bulkhead. Then it would pass, just as fast as it hit.

After about a week, I never had a problem. Most people can adjust quickly, so long as they are in a sustained environment. Since you are not in a sustained environment, give it awhile longer then decide.

Answer 5

Do you have a family? I am also assuming you are asking about a job in the UK? The industry here in the US is in shambles so a lot of factors have pushed salaries lower. Expect 10 years to get to a major airline (average-US) and at that point timing comes into play as the industry is cyclical. If you time it right you would have about 25 years (the retirement age will be 65 by then). Hope this helps. I am an MD11 Captain with a US freight carrier (19 years), and love my job. Good luck & God bless.

Answer 6

If you want to be a pilot, go for it!

Go to WWW.ERAU.EDU by far, the best pilot school in the world.

DO IT!

I would have done it, but, medical problems grounded me.

Good luck.

Answer 7

No way just because the pay really sucks these days. You would get all the air-sick bags you need for free though!