At 09:26 09 November 2008, Willy VINKEN wrote:
No Jack, they don't.
Or at least, there is no scientific evidence that proves they might.
Nevertheless, everything that derives attention can prevent motion
sickness. Even having spent a lot of money for a gadget. The worst
situation is when you keep thinking motion sickness will happen.
Keep trying, and things will improve.
Drugs like cinnarazine or domperidone might help in between.
NASA even experimented with scopolamine. Those are not trademarks,
but international nonproprietary chemical names. Trademarks are
different in different countries.
The more efficient they are, the more side effects they have...
But still, they might be a suitable solution for transition. Your
instructor is always behind you, so some lack of concentration isn't
dramatic, and you still keep acquiring reflexes. After all, this is
what basic learning to fly is all about.
Open the window a bit, get some fresh air blowing in your face, and
concentrate on flying. And believe me, half an hour in the air,
working hard, is more than enough for a beginner to be exhausted.
Longer flights simply add 'minutes in the cockpit', but don't improve
your skills.

Willy VINKEN
Medical doctor, diving instructor and glider pilot.
And having seen a lot of motion sickness...


Acupuncture works, I am the most sceptical person when it comes to
"alternative remedies" but it really does work and I read somewhere that
the wrist pressure works because it is an acupunture point. You would need
to talk to an acupunture practitioner to get confirmation.
As an example I have a very strong gag reflex and my dentist had to take
some impressions, garunteed to make me gag. She made me press quite hard
on a point centrally under my bottom lip for 90 seconds. I was convinced I
would gag. The impressions were taken with absolutely no problem. It does
work, why I have no idea and the fact that it cannot be scientifically
explained does not alter that fact.