Flying w/a cold

[invertedflyer]

I'm taking one of my friends up flying tomorrow morning but recently developed a sinus infection... What should I avoid during the flight? I've heard flying while sick can cause some pressure and sharp pains. Any advice?

 

[Brett327]

I'm taking one of my friends up flying tomorrow morning but recently developed a sinus infection... What should I avoid during the flight? I've heard flying while sick can cause some pressure and sharp pains. Any advice?

If you're congested, I'd keep the altitude below 200 FT. Usually not a good idea to fly under those conditions.

Brett

 

[nittany03]

What should I avoid during the flight?

Releasing the brakes on the runway would be a good starter. Blow out a sinus and you can kiss a career in Naval Aviation goodbye.

 

[Gatordev]

Concur. Bad idea going up, especially if you have an actual infection. I did that a long time ago and it take several weeks for it get better. Fortuantely I didn't actually blow the sinuses...or so I think.

 

[bunk22]

Don't be stupid, just don't go up. I've seen a few types over the years push it and most were lucky but why risk your career or being med down for many months? My old Skipper was a Prowler pilot right up to the point where he went flying with a cold/sinus problem. I'm sure he doesn't regret it now but going from a tacair guy to a COD guy because of one instance of flying with a cold, not worth it IMO.

 

[invertedflyer]

Advice taken... Its doesn't seem like its a serious infection... but I'd rather stay on the safe side. If I'm not feeling better I'll cancel. I guess thats why the flight docs won't let you go up if you have a cold... should've known. Thanks gents.

 

[Harrier Dude]

Who here carries a blow down bottle?

 

[raptor10]

One of the female middies on my cruise got a sinus block on her first flight. She was a trooper about it, but damn it looked like it was painful.

 

[invertedflyer]

I don't think what i have is a sinus infection because my sinuses aren't blocked up... probably just the common cold. Regardless, I'm not going to risk my career over something that I can reschedule for a later time.

 

[FMRAM]

Who here carries a blow down bottle?

I am assuming your not talking about the ones for the landing gear...what do you mean?

 

[Harrier Dude]

I am assuming your not talking about the ones for the landing gear...what do you mean?

Not the one for the landing gear. It's a euphamism for Affrin nasal spray. I keep a bottle in my vest in case I get a sinus block.

*** WARNING: THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR DELIBERATELY FLYING WITH A COLD. JUST DON'T DO IT***

I used it once and it helped a lot. Then again, I shoudn't have flown to begin with. It was an FCF with a big dose of "I-have-to-get-this-jet-up-itis". Not my smartest move.

 

[invertedflyer]

Not the one for the landing gear. It's a euphamism for Affrin nasal spray. I keep a bottle in my vest in case I get a sinus block.

Yeah I've been using one of those lately... I'm still going to hold off on going up though.

I remember the F-16 demo pilot at this year's Miramar Air Show cancelled his performance due to a cold. Brett you probably remember that.

 

[Brett327]

Not the one for the landing gear. It's a euphamism for Affrin nasal spray. I keep a bottle in my vest in case I get a sinus block.

*** WARNING: THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR DELIBERATELY FLYING WITH A COLD. JUST DON'T DO IT***

I used it once and it helped a lot. Then again, I shoudn't have flown to begin with. It was an FCF with a big dose of "I-have-to-get-this-jet-up-itis". Not my smartest move.

I've brought Affrin along on the rare occasions when I'm sick. Our flight doc gave us a blanket thumbs up to use it inflight.

Brett

 

[Gatordev]

Afrin (or whatever the generic equivalent is) is scary stuff. Use it more than a few times in a row and you start rebounding from it, requiring you to use it more, which just feeds on itself. That said, I've had it in my pocket a couple times coming back from a sinus infection, "just in case" I wasn't really fully up. Fortunately, haven't had to use it (in the air).

 

[Brett327]

Afrin (or whatever the generic equivalent is) is scary stuff. Use it more than a few times in a row and you start rebounding from it, requiring you to use it more, which just feeds on itself. That said, I've had it in my pocket a couple times coming back from a sinus infection, "just in case" I wasn't really fully up. Fortunately, haven't had to use it (in the air).

I got "hooked" on Dristan spray like that in my VP days. It has a different active ingredient, but the effect was the same. It got to where I couldn't breathe through my nose without the stuff. I haven't had that experience w/ Affrin, but I've only used it a couple times.

Brett