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WalterBrightyesterday at 4:17 PM3 repliesview on HN

I suppose you could avoid eating hours before a mission, and not eat gassy foods.


Replies

scarieryesterday at 6:24 PM

That's one option, although for longer missions your preparation generally needs to start the night before and I wouldn't recommend flying on an empty stomach (unless it works for you, but it makes most people more susceptible to airsickness). There isn't one consistent method that works for everyone--I think the book Sled Driver has a section where they talk about physiological preparation for SR-71 flights, and the only consistent habit the crew had was NOT eating the "traditional," low-residue steak-and-eggs breakfast.

Good news for gassy food lovers is the cabin pressure changes make everyone fart, there's no one else in the cockpit to hear or smell you, and even if there was it'd be loud and they'd be wearing an oxygen mask. Little victories.

mr_toadyesterday at 9:01 PM

in WWII they had to avoid serving gassy foods to bomber crews because at high altitudes intestinal issues could go from uncomfortable to lethal.

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the_afyesterday at 6:08 PM

I wonder if hunger can affect your focus and reflexes though.