G-force in flight: what 1G, 5G and 9G mean
G is a multiple of your own weight. At +6G your arm weighs six times what it does now, your cheeks slide down your face and lifting your head off the headrest becomes a genuine effort. It lasts a few seconds at a time, and it is the single most misunderstood part of an aerobatic flight.
How many G you feel, and what you keep. A first flight in the Extra 300L usually lands around +5G. The First Flight package runs to +4G and -2G, and the full Adrenaline programme reaches +6G and -4G. Your instructor records the measured peak G and the figures you flew, and after landing you receive them on a personal certificate with your name on it. See the flight packages.
A scale you already know
| Situation | Approximate load factor | At 80 kg body mass |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting still / airliner cruise | +1G | 80 kg |
| Airliner take-off | about +1.2G | about 96 kg |
| Fairground ride | about +2G | about 160 kg |
| Extra 300L first flight | around +4G | about 320 kg |
| Aerobatic flight, Adrenaline package | up to +6G / -4G | about 480 kg |
| Fighter / unlimited aerobatics | around +9G | about 720 kg |
G is a multiple of body weight, not a separate mass unit. 9G is fighter and unlimited-aerobatics territory; it is not the Extra 300L introductory programme. The difference between an aeroplane and a fairground ride is not just the number. In an aerobatic sequence the load also changes direction, from positive through neutral to negative, within a few seconds.
Positive G: blood goes to your feet
Positive G can make your head and limbs feel heavier and reduce blood supply towards the head. Visual narrowing or greying is a warning sign, not a normal target for an introductory flight. Tell the pilot immediately. There is no universal G threshold at which every person experiences the same symptoms.
G-induced loss of consciousness cannot be ruled out on an introductory flight. Limiting exposure and adapting the programme help manage risk but do not eliminate it. See the FAA advisory on the effects of G-forces.
Briefing and individual preparation
Anti-G techniques require appropriate instruction and consideration of your health. An online description is not a training programme and cannot guarantee protection from visual disturbance or loss of consciousness. Follow the personal briefing, ask about anything unclear and report symptoms immediately.
Negative G: the one nobody expects
Negative G is the stranger sensation. Instead of being pressed into the seat you hang in the harness and blood is pushed towards your head. The face feels full, the eyes feel pressured, and it is normal to find it more disturbing than +6G on your first flight. Our packages go to -2G on the First Flight and -4G on Adrenaline.
Human tolerance for negative G is far lower than for positive G, so aerobatic sequences spend much less time there. The harness matters here: a five-point harness pulled properly tight is what stops you from floating off the seat, and it is checked before every flight.
What determines the flight length
Duration follows the selected package and operational plan. Responses to repeated loading vary. A shorter flight does not eliminate risk or guarantee that symptoms will not occur.
What helps, practically
- Eat something light about two hours before: toast, a banana, yoghurt. Neither an empty stomach nor a large meal.
- Be well hydrated. Dehydration measurably lowers G tolerance.
- No alcohol the night before. Caffeine in normal amounts is fine.
- Keep your eyes on the horizon rather than on the instrument panel; it helps more than people expect.
- Tell the pilot early if you feel off. Stopping one figure sooner is usually the difference between a great memory and a bad one.
Frequently asked questions
How many G will I feel on a first aerobatic flight?
It depends on the package. The First Flight package runs to +4G and -2G, and the Adrenaline package to +6G and -4G. How much a participant feels on the day depends on how they are doing, because the pilot adapts the figures. The measured peak G and the list of figures flown appear on the personal certificate you receive after the flight.
What does +6G feel like?
Your body feels heavier under positive G. Visual narrowing or greying is a warning sign that must be reported immediately, not an expected milestone at a fixed G value. Individual tolerance varies.
Is negative G worse than positive G?
Most first-time participants find negative G stranger and less pleasant. Instead of being pushed into the seat you hang in the harness and blood is pushed towards your head. Human tolerance for negative G is much lower, so sequences spend little time there.
Can I lose consciousness during an aerobatic flight?
Loss of consciousness is possible under G loading and cannot be ruled out by a short flight or briefing. The pilot adapts the programme and exposure; report any visual changes or unwell feeling immediately.
How do I improve my G tolerance?
Follow the personal briefing and report symptoms immediately. Do not use an online breathing exercise as protection against G-induced loss of consciousness. Discuss health conditions and medicines with a doctor before booking.
How many G do the packages reach?
Up to +4G and -2G on the First Flight package, and up to +6G and -4G on the Adrenaline package.
Fly it yourself
Aerobatic flights in the Extra 300L SP-EKS from Radom-Piastów (EPRP), 100 km from Warsaw. From 2,222 PLN, no licence or experience required. Gift vouchers are issued as a PDF after payment confirmation and stay valid for 12 months.