Passenger Comfort.....

wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm a relatively new commercial pilot and have had several passengers
with NPE...near puke events! Some have been uncomfortable from the
moment we start the tow, others at altitude and others while
thermaling. I keep the chatter going, recommend steady breathing and
to look at the horizon. I make sure the air vent is open as well.

A little communication goes a long way. My first question is always "have
you ever been in a small plane before?" This opens a conversation that usually
can give you an idea of the experience they are looking for. Continue the
conversation a bit during the flight, they will tell you what they want if
properly prompted. Simple questions like "are these turns OK?" are absolutely
basic. With kids, I always explain that the glider banks through turns "just
like a bicycle". They understand that concept instantly and are prepared for
the sensation.

I have learned a lot about giving glider rides by simply hanging back and
listening to my passengers talk to their families & friends after a flight.
What do they talk about? Things that are everyday for you might be
life-defining moment for someone else; something as simple as steering the
glider around a cloud, or flying in formation with a bird.

I have had to make a few quick landings to get queasy passengers on
terra-firma, but only had one actually get sick in the glider. It turned out
that she was in the "family way" and had actually brought her own sick sack!

Vaughn

Vaughn wrote: I have learned a lot about giving glider rides by simply
hanging back and
listening to my passengers talk to their families & friends after a
flight.
What do they talk about? Things that are everyday for you might be
life-defining moment for someone else; something as simple as steering
the
glider around a cloud, or flying in formation with a bird


Vaughn,
That's an excellent suggestion! I've been fortunate enough to have
given some rides to late 80's early 90's year old customers, and the
excitement from the family watching, and the passenger themselves has
been a real learning experience. I'll pay more attention to the
comments in the future.

Thanks again for all the replies, I definately picked up some
techniques that I'll try this weekend. I've been asking if they've
ever flown in a small plane or been in a sailboat....I didn't think
about comparing it to a bicycle ride.

Douglas