During my training, I was getting over a head cold and felt I was pretty
much done with it. Just to be safe, I took a pseudoephedrine to make sure
that I didn't have any problems. Things were fine during the climb and
maneuvers, but when I descended to pattern altitude, my head felt like it
was going to explode! It suprised me how much it hurt, it felt like my
sinuses were going to pop.

I've only experienced this once, this past summer. I actually managed to
get a cold WITH my hay fever -- something I had not thought possible. (How
does a rhinovirus survive long enough in nasal passages that are constantly
draining due to allergies?)

Same experience -- going up was fine. Coming down, I had to take it the
descent at about 200 fpm -- and even then I thought the only thing holding
my brains in was my headset...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"