Preparing for a XC : Bathroom Breaks

My 'brain bag' contains a half dozen zip lock plastic bags, gallon
size, at least one of which has prepackaged wash and drys, paper
towels, tissues and so forth in it. These make great sick bags and for
the px who are equipt with kick stands, a safe and sealable urine
collection/safekeeping device.

Be sure to test all of the advice you've been given here against your
own logic and the credibility of the advice giver. Even non-pilots can
offer reasonable and practical advice, but that's probably not where to
place your bet.




On Jan 24, 10:14 pm, "Tony" wrote:
I had another thing worth sharing. In the hot summer time, I suggest
you get a couple of pint or half liter water bottles, fill them to
about 80%, then freeze them. Use them as your drinking water when
aloft. The thaw rate is often a nice moderator on how fast they'll
empty, they'll be cold for hours.

For golf I do that with Gater Aid or other sports drinks in liter
bottles -- walking hilly courses in hot weather is thirsty work. The
Army tells its members if they are doing hard work in the summer, that
if they are not ****ing they are not drinking enough. Thirst is NOT a
good measure of need in those circumstances.

On Jan 24, 10:03 pm, "Tony" wrote:



TF, take no coffee or other diuretics for three hours before take off.
Drink water sparingly, but if thirsty aloft, drink some water.

You and your wife do not have wait until a flight to see if your
bladder endurance is what you want it to be. Go shopping and to a
movie, and call the start of the trip the ETD. From ETD minus 3 hours,
drink only water sparingly. Void before leaving to go shopping -- "I
don't have to go" is not an acceptable excuse.

Then go do your thing, have sips -- SIPS!!!!! -- of water from time to
time, and pay attention to how you both are feeling. See if you can get
to ETD plus 4 hours (it may take a time or two before you can do that.
This is an especially good practice because you'll be aware of what
you're trying to do, and it will make you more aware of your needs for
relief.

Try it a few times. Keep this in mind: you probably both go for many
hours when you're asleep. If, however, one or the other of you is
getting up every two or three hours at night, you'll just have to plan
shorter flight legs.

If these 'low and slow' flights work, do the same pre flight routine
for the real thing, void at the FBO before take off, and be confident
your personal tanks will not be full before the airplane's are getting
close to minimal reserves.

Good luck.

Oh, one other thing: don't try to be a hero. If the need is there, tell
ATC you want to land and do a personal weight and balance adjustment.
Too full a bladder IS a hazard to safe flight.

On Jan 24, 8:15 pm, "TF" wrote:

I've mastered fuel management now the hardest part. How to manage mine and
my wife's bathroom breaks. Our trips are typically 3 to 3.5 hours but our
blatters don't always make it thus forci6ng a stop. Thats a big 30 min
addition to the trip. On my last filight I filed two flight plans and then
called ATC to open the next flight plan when we felt we could make it all
the way without the stop. Seemed to work.

Any suggestions on preflight preparations that have worked for others ? No
coffee before the flight ? No liquids xxx hours before leaving etc. etc.
Sort of like preparing for an operations.

Thanks.
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