When Nature Calls in the Cabin, Be Prepared

Things can get messy if you don't have a plan for airsickness.

Martha Lunken

Wednesday, January 03, 2024 at 11:48 AM ET

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Airsickness bags are must-have items for the cockpit. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Airsickness is a common challenge in aviation, affecting anyone from new passengers to seasoned pilots; prevention involves gentle flying and immediate landing, while cleanup requires specific methods like coffee grounds.
Dealing with urination in general aviation aircraft (lacking restrooms) often necessitates pre-flight planning and the use of improvised relief devices such as bottles or cups.
The article also emphasizes that nausea or feeling "weird" can be a symptom of a carbon monoxide leak, highlighting the importance of having CO detectors on board.

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I’m note sure this has been discussed in many aviation publications—especially one as eminent as FLYING—but, if you’ve been aviating for a while, you’re probably familiar with the challenges of biological as well as aeronautical functions. And, if you’re a brand-new pilot…well, I guarantee you will be. I don’t think it’s addressed extensively in the Aeronautical Information Manual or shows up as a test question, but it’s really practical information.

Airsickness (what my grandnieces call “the spits”) can happen to anybody—students, passengers, seasoned pilots, and even instructors and check airmen. There’s no surefire way to prevent it, but I have some stories, experiences, and suggestions to avoid it and, if necessary, deal with the subsequent mess.