This reminds me of another Olympus-related story. I gather that NASA hires
outside photographers to take pictures aboard these flights (no, don't ask, I
don't know how to get picked for this! :), and for every trip, there have
been different photographers, most of whom have the latest and greatest
digital wunderbricks. Although, the one who took my picture might have had
at least a manual-focus camera. I didn't really notice, being a bit busy at
the time, plus she was pretty cute too, but I digress... Anyhoo, once there
was a photog with an OM4 and a 35/2, but I don't think he lasted 10 parabolas
before he was tossing his cookies and had to go back to sit down. I didn't
see him the rest of the week, so never got a chance to talk to him :) Some
people just don't react well at all to the experience.
It's a recurring problem Mark.
It's one thing to have a strong enough constitution to resist honking
your ring (slang for vomiting, in case this has a different meaning
over in the US) on such a roller coaster ride, but it is quite
another if you are not using your eyes normally. Your senses can be
confused by violent motion, but it can be reconciled with your visual
cues. If however, your visual cues disagree too much with for
instance your motion detectors, the semi-circular canals in your
ears, you get messages going to your vomit centre (I am told that
there is such a thing). Therefore, photogs have to be good to avoid
honking when flying in small and agile aircraft, especially when
there is a rate of roll on or under G. Not many owners will let
someone into their aircraft if it will return from a flight covered
in "technicolour yawn".
I used to instruct navigators in a small jet called a Jet Provost (a
Mk 5). You could tell when their map-reading was about to take
second place when they went quiet, the oxygen mask came off and the
bag came out of the pocket. Sometimes they had forgotten to bring a
bag and the gloves were put to use! Some of these boys continued to
be airsick throughout their flying careers - that's dedication I
would say!
Chris
--
~~~~~ ><>
Chris Barker
mailto:chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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