What can be an effective strategy to alleviate motion sickness in pilots?

Focusing on a stable horizon is an effective strategy to alleviate motion sickness in pilots because it helps to provide a visual reference point that the brain can interpret as a stable environment. When pilots experience motion sickness, it's often due to a conflict between what they see (aircraft movements) and what their inner ear senses (changes in balance and motion). By concentrating on a fixed point, like the horizon, pilots can reduce this sensory conflict and maintain a better sense of orientation.

This strategy is especially important during maneuvers that might involve rapid changes in direction or altitude, where the visual input can become disorienting. A stable reference allows the pilot to better anticipate the motion of the aircraft, thus minimizing the symptoms associated with motion sickness.

Other strategies, such as increasing altitude rapidly or significantly reducing speed, may not effectively address the root cause of motion sickness or could even exacerbate the situation by introducing additional stress or disorientation. Similarly, avoiding the use of instruments can lead to a loss of situational awareness, potentially increasing the feeling of sickness rather than alleviating it. In contrast, establishing a focal point on a stable horizon directly aids in reconciling the conflicting sensory signals, making it a practical and effective approach.