I agree with another poster, make sure it isn't your eyes. Are you
wearing good sunglasses -- that fit right? Maybe try a different
pair... Reflections under or around the rims can cause eye fatigue,
and "squint" headaches. When I used to tow I would get vicious
headaches from squinting and another factor that you should consider:
dehydration. Lunch might be a good thing to monitor, too.

Being on more oxygen will dehydrate you faster... When it's put in the
tanks, it's dryer than ambient air (medical/aviators/welding oxygen are
ALL dried!!!) Another consideraton is your acclimation to your new
environs. Are you getting enough water? Also, if you're getting that
headache after your (first) post-flight beer, that could be another
possible cause (again, dehydration rather than alcohol effects). If
you're hydrating yourself enough, make sure you're passing that water,
too. A full bladder can lead to other complications. As Kemp Izuno
once remarked, the most cost effective performance improvement to a
glider isn't winglets: it's a relief tube! On the other hand, you
might be allergic to clean air...

Next time you start getting the headache, go back and get more oxygen;
see if this helps with the headache. That won't necessarily rule out
dehydration. A different tact would be to make sure you're hydrating
yourself (water or gatorade, not beer or coffee!) after your flight, as
well as during flight. Lack of sufficient caffiene (for us coffee
addicts) can also bring on a headache. I still remember the training
term: "adequately" caffienated.

My bet is that your headaches are caused by dehydration and/or
squinting. I have suffered from both. Getting the oximeter is still a
good suggestion...I have one, too.

You didn't mention where you're flying...that might enlighten us about
sun angles, spider bites, etc. You might want to partake of an
altitude chamber ride, if you haven't already. They train you on much,
much more about physiology, hydration, survival, nutrition, sinus
care...etc. They might know something about "oxygen hangovers." I
think they use oxygen to TREAT hangovers...

For training see:
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/a...logy/index.cfm

Fifty bucks for a chamber "ride" is one of the best deals in avaition.
I've been there twice; once for soaring, once for work (there they
took us to 35k vs. 25k for hypoxia...). A class 3 medical is required,
but a pulse is about all you need to get one of those...

-Pete
#309