DIZZINESS

[raby fink]

Can someone give some help on how to prevent dizziness while flying?
THanks
Raby

[Roger Vizioli]

There are many "theories".
When teaching new flyers, I tell them to concentrate on the plane, not the background flashing by and dont look down at the ground when flying. 
Works for many, I'm sure more hints will be posted.
Roger v.

[John Stiles]

Put up a center pole about 5' tall[+2' in the ground], crook your left arm around it, and walk in a circle as you fly...remember that your line length while it stays constant may increase by the length of your arm. And try to watch the plane as was said

[LARRY RICE]

I see that you are a new pilot. After the first few flights it will go away. Also this is most common with new pilots of 1/2a planes, when you advance to larger planes on longer lines things will get better.
Larry

[Paul Taylor]

Here is one thing that I remember. We started out with 1/2a's and yes they can screw you in the ground. When I flew- one foot would stay planted. When I got done the grass would be worn in that one spot where my foot spun around. And I would be dizzy. Like they said, going bigger will allow you to "walk backwards" around is a smaller circle while flying.
Also one thing that helped me was just getting in the back yard and turn around like you are flying. The wife came out and asked what I was doing. I said I was practicing getting dizzy. She laughed at me, but hey it worked.

Also the more you fly the less you will notice it. I still get a little dizzy when I fly inverted, going the other way.

And I always get dizzy when I fly Louis Rankin's Grin Reaper. There is no other way to fly it, pure fun.

[John Stiles]

The only time I back up is inverted....sometimes 5 or 6 laps...and I still get a little dizzy going backwards. Oh, and if I didn't have a pole, I couldn't fly without falling down......I am disabled

[Vincent Corwell]

How I overcame dizzy was
I dont stare at the plane all the time with
the background whizzing past, but learn to
watch the height of the plane from your
peripheral vision, when your eyes get tired
a few quick glances at the green grass will
rest your eyes.
If your plane is say 20 feet off the ground,
learn to keep it there without staring at it
constantly, even glance away for short spells
if you dont change your hand when you  look
away ...it should still be 20 feet high when you
look back , then look away more casually as you
get used to it
This worked well for me in the early days, but
when I now fly inverted I get a little dizzy by the
5th lap
plenty of practice is good

Best wishes with it all, keep asking the questions here

Vincent

[Wynn Robins]

DONT watch the plane - I know it sounds hard when you are learning - but the rushing background that you see behind the plane is what will screw you up -  you can watch the airplane at critical times - but give your eyes and brain a rest by looking at something else when you are flying level  etc.

[Bill Adair]

Raby,

Don't worry about getting dizzy. Just wear old cloths that you won't mind getting a little mud or grass stains on, when you fall over at the end of your first flight.

My first control line flight over fifty years ago, was with a Jim Walker Firebaby, and an OK Cub .049. I got pretty dizzy, but don't recall ever falling down.

Look for experienced fliers to help you for your first few flights, and you should do just fine. Joining a club is a great way to make new friends, and really enjoy this hobby.

Bill

[John Stiles]

Raby,

Don't worry about getting dizzy. Just wear old cloths that you won't mind getting a little mud or grass stains on, when you fall over at the end of your first flight.

My first control line flight over fifty years ago, was with a Jim Walker Firebaby, and an OK Cub .049. I got pretty dizzy, but don't recall ever falling down.

Look for experienced fliers to help you for your first few flights, and you should do just fine. Joining a club is a great way to make new friends, and really enjoy this hobby.

Bill

Dadgum...that was my first plane as well.... ....and I can't use my peripheral vision...I only have the one eye, and its beginning to go....the other has a big blind spot where my retina has a big scar. And if you think that aint a tough fly.....try taping one eye shut and put wax paper over the other!

[Russell Shaffer]

John, you just need bigger airplanes so you can see them.  Something with lots of side area, and have you considered tying on a streamer?  Someone suggested that to me for helping to keep track of manuevers. 

[John Stiles]

Yep, I've done that...but it distracts my attention I wind up watching the streamer to see what it'sdoin!

[Bill Adair]

John,

Got to give you credit for trying. 

If you can fly with those kind of visual problems, your doing better than I would.

The Firebaby was a nice little airplane. Inexpensive, easy to assemble, cheap to repair, and flew well with just about any 1/2A engine. As I recall, new wings were only a quarter back then, but that was a half hours wages for me, and a twenty mile trip to a hobby shop.

These foam board/Coroplast planes are a gas. Like a modern version of the Firebaby, but stronger!

Bill

[Leo Mehl]

I only get dizzy when I start the engine. And I have heard a lot of comments about that and I never get dizzy flying no matter what direction. Only goes to prove that if you fly enough years you will get over being dizzy. If you do I would go to the emergerncy at the hospital in case you had a stroke. I( my case I am numb all the time anyway. Keep flying no matter what!

[Joe Messinger]

As Vincent mentioned, try looking away from the plane and at some stationary objects that are near the flying circle if you feel dizzy while flying.   Just a brief glimpse at a tree, car, flagpole, something other than the plane will help abate the dizziness.  Obviously, you shouldn't look away from the plane if you are attempting a maneuver. Also, once you have more flying experience, doing some lazy eights now and then offers relief.

In time the dizziness goes away for most fliers.  You'll become more relaxed and won't have to concentrate on the plane nearly as much as when you first began learning to fly.

Joe

[Gary Anderson]

Hi,

If you look at the plane as it was in the back ground you'll be fine. Its like riding in a car and looking at the ground, you'll get dizzy really quick. Just look at the plane as if you where riding in a car, not looking at the ground. Works for me and I'm sure there is many many different ways. Sometimes I like to watch the plane really close just to get the dizzy feel. When flying contest you'll have to watch the plane very close to achieve the proper height. So you need to practice and find a method that works best for you. Different strokes for different folks. If you don't get dizzy you're not having fun. Have a great day and have fun, Gary

[Howard Rush]

I get dizzy flying combat planes upside down.  Rightside up is OK.  I have to practice flying inverted for awhile to get over the dizziness.  I guess it's a matter of practice. 

[john e. holliday]

Getting over the dizzy's is just more flying time.  Nothing like first time on A-J Firebaby with Thimble Drome .049 (yes it was nose heavy) on about 15 foot dacron lines.  9 laps plane was on the ground as well as me.  Next plane was Scientific Sport Racer with OK Cub .049 that I literally wore out on 25 foot lines. 

When a member of the Flying Eagles, Mr Meriwether would tell new people to tie a bean bag on a ten foot line and spin aas fast as the airplane would fly.  It did not take long to get over dizziness.  I too also got dizzy doing anything over 6 laps inverted, even today.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

[Joe Yau]

When I first got back into this hobby about a year ago..  I would get dizzy flying my Nemesis II, but if I start doing maneuvers for a while I'm o.k.   As said above, more flying time definitely helps.  especially with those bad lean runs (dirt in filter etc) on stunt ships that had me go round and round.. makes good practice I guess.