SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-motion-sickness-relief

What may help relieve motion sickness during a flight lesson?

Open fresh-air vents and look outside.

Start playing free

  1. Open vents and look outside ✔
  2. Make rapid head movements
  3. Read a chart closely

Why: Motion sickness comes from conflicting signals about body movement. Fresh air, focusing outside, and limiting unnecessary head motion can reduce discomfort.

Huh, didn't know that: Airsickness during early lessons does not reflect a person's ability to become a pilot.

The dad joke
The airsick student looked outside for a change of view.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Open vents and look outside. Motion sickness comes from conflicting signals about body movement. Fresh air, focusing outside, and limiting unnecessary head motion can reduce discomfort.

  1. FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 17 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/19_phak_ch17.pdf
    opening fresh air vents, focusing on objects outside the airplane, and avoiding unnecessary head movements may help
    Checked 2026-10-09.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesWhich type of hypoxia comes from the lower pressure of oxygen at high altitude?Flying & DronesCarbon monoxide from a leaky cabin heater causes which type of hypoxia?Flying & DronesAlcohol and certain drugs can cause which type of hypoxia?

That's stuff everyone should know.