Will I fit?

[c hinds]

I am 6'3" 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane. I fit OK in
the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a Grob 102 with about
1/2" of clearance to the canopy.
What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You
know, all of those "other" sailplanes.
Any and all responses appreciated.
Thanks,
Clark

[Marc Ramsey]

c hinds wrote:
> What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You

no, maybe, yes, yes, if you mean janus B front no, back yes, if jantar,
yes for most models.

[BTIZ]

I'm 5'10" and 200#, I can "fit" in the Libelle with a good shoe horn and I
have flown by friends on occasion.. but not to own one.

The fit check, across the shoulders with the canopy, and, with the canopy
on, can you pull your elbow back to get full deployment on the spoiler?

BT

"c hinds" > wrote in message
om...
> I am 6'3" 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane. I fit OK in
> the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a Grob 102 with about
> 1/2" of clearance to the canopy.
> What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You
> know, all of those "other" sailplanes.
> Any and all responses appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Clark

[tango4]

5'10" 240lbs and with the seat back removed and by dropping my shoulders
below the canopy line I can fit and fly the libelle comfortably!

Ian

"BTIZ" > wrote in message
news:pPT1c.13174$id3.3006@fed1read01...
> I'm 5'10" and 200#, I can "fit" in the Libelle with a good shoe horn and I
> have flown by friends on occasion.. but not to own one.
>
> The fit check, across the shoulders with the canopy, and, with the canopy
> on, can you pull your elbow back to get full deployment on the spoiler?
>
> BT
>
> "c hinds" > wrote in message
> om...
> > I am 6'3" 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane. I fit OK in
> > the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a Grob 102 with about
> > 1/2" of clearance to the canopy.
> > What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You
> > know, all of those "other" sailplanes.
> > Any and all responses appreciated.
> > Thanks,
> > Clark
>
>

[goneill]

The cirrus ,nimbus 2,ventus,and the mosquito,mininimbus, LS3 will fit even
me when
when I was 125kgs so you are smaller than me so you should not have a
problem.
With your extra height just take out the seatback and use cushions to set
yourself up
properly and if you need more room for your length have a parachute harness
made
and have the chute in a purpose made pack that fits behind your head
attached to the
spar .That was the rig used by someone 6'4"

"c hinds" > wrote in message
om...
> I am 6'3" 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane. I fit OK in
> the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a Grob 102 with about
> 1/2" of clearance to the canopy.
> What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You
> know, all of those "other" sailplanes.
> Any and all responses appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Clark

[Bruce Greeff]

c hinds wrote:
> I am 6'3" 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane. I fit OK in
> the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a Grob 102 with about
> 1/2" of clearance to the canopy.
> What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You
> know, all of those "other" sailplanes.
> Any and all responses appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Clark
I am same height, and heavier (108kg or 235lbs).
Fit in the Std Cirrus is good, I even have some free headroom, but not much.

Trick is to have a flat pack parachute. I only have two problems from a comfort
point of view. My shins take a beating on the instrument panel every time, and
the Drager oxygen mixer the factory fitted (way back in 1970) on the right hand
side of the cockpit leaves bruises all over my right upper arm if it is rough.
(Those cirrus wings are stiff)

YOu will find visibility is a little limited for the over 6' types, because your
head is under the canopy hoop. The advantage I suppose is you can get your head
out of the sun.

One thing to check is whether your feet fit - there is not a huge amount of
space up front, and even my size 8 feet are forced into a toe in posture.

So you will fit, but will you enjoy it? - my experience is, it is a nice plane
to fly and own with a very good and active community of pilots.

[David Hodgson]

At 06:18 05 March 2004, Bruce Greeff wrote:
>c hinds wrote:
>> I am 6'3' 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane.
>>I fit OK in
>> the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a
>>Grob 102 with about
>> 1/2' of clearance to the canopy.
>> What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus,
>>Jantus B ? You
>> know, all of those 'other' sailplanes.
>> Any and all responses appreciated.
>> Thanks,
>> Clark

You wont have any problem fitting in to a Dg100

[Owain Walters]

I am 6'2'. I fit in my libelle with absolutely no problems.




At 04:36 05 March 2004, C Hinds wrote:
>I am 6'3' 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane.
>I fit OK in
>the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a
>Grob 102 with about
>1/2' of clearance to the canopy.
>What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus,
>Jantus B ? You
>know, all of those 'other' sailplanes.
>Any and all responses appreciated.
>Thanks,
>Clark
>

[tango4]

Yeah, but you're a scrawny little bloke!

:-)

Ian

"Owain Walters" > wrote in
message ...
>
> I am 6'2'. I fit in my libelle with absolutely no problems.
>
>
>
>
> At 04:36 05 March 2004, C Hinds wrote:
> >I am 6'3' 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane.
> >I fit OK in
> >the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a
> >Grob 102 with about
> >1/2' of clearance to the canopy.
> >What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus,
> >Jantus B ? You
> >know, all of those 'other' sailplanes.
> >Any and all responses appreciated.
> >Thanks,
> >Clark
> >
>
>
>

[Wallace Berry]

In article >,
Marc Ramsey > wrote:

> c hinds wrote:
> > What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You
>
> no, maybe, yes, yes, if you mean janus B front no, back yes, if jantar,
> yes for most models.
>
>

Wide shoulders and/or a long torso are problems in the Libelle. If you
have long legs and are relatively slim, you will fit in the Libelle just
fine. Best to have a thin packback chute like a National. Use the
minimum seat cushioning you are comfortable with. Libelle's have lots of
leg room. The rudder pedals adjust pretty far forward.

All the 201 Libelles that I have seen have the "high" canopy. I have
both the high and low "racing" canopies for my 301. The high canopy
provides significantly more headroom (although I fly with the low canopy
because it looks so kewl).

[Thomas F. Dixon]

Mosquito, PIK 20, SGS 1-35, LS6, Mini Nimbus, all have good size
cockpits. A real important part of the fit will be your parachute.
In some ships a back pack is better than a seat or a seat/back type
(Security).
Tom
IDAHO





(c hinds) wrote in message >...
> I am 6'3" 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane. I fit OK in
> the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a Grob 102 with about
> 1/2" of clearance to the canopy.
> What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You
> know, all of those "other" sailplanes.
> Any and all responses appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Clark

[Marc Ramsey]

Thomas F. Dixon wrote:
> Mosquito, PIK 20, SGS 1-35, LS6, Mini Nimbus, all have good size
> cockpits.

An LS6 has a good size cockpit?? Surely you jest...

[Bob Korves]

You would probably fit into a Pik-20, but the question then becomes "Can I
fly it?" Pik-20's are easy and fairly docile to fly but a bit tricky on
takeoff and landing -- relatively easy to ground loop. Also near neutral
stability hands off (and delightfully light stick forces hands on).
-Bob

"c hinds" > wrote in message
om...
> I am 6'3" 205 lbs. and currently shopping for a sailplane. I fit OK in
> the SGS-1-26, 2-33, Puchacz and can squeeze into a Grob 102 with about
> 1/2" of clearance to the canopy.
> What about Libelle, ASW-15b, DG100, Standard Cirrus, Jantus B ? You
> know, all of those "other" sailplanes.
> Any and all responses appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Clark

[Stewart Kissel]

Thomas-
Not sure I would agree with your comment on the -6,
the original poster said a 102 was tight for him.
He would not fit into a 6 unless he has a pencil-build.



At 19:24 05 March 2004, Marc Ramsey wrote:
>Thomas F. Dixon wrote:
>> Mosquito, PIK 20, SGS 1-35, LS6, Mini Nimbus, all
>>have good size
>> cockpits.
>
>An LS6 has a good size cockpit?? Surely you jest...
>
>

[Thomas F. Dixon]

Marc:

When I had my "C" model I punched in at 230# ( before the chute) and
5'10" and real broad at the shoulders and hip and I fit it just fine.
There was no way that I could even get in a Libelle or any other
narrow cockpit. Had no trouble in the LS6-C, SGS 1-35, Mosquito, Pik
20, Open Cirrus, Blanik, etc, etc. We are not talking about weight
issues just size. Don't have that problem any more lost a bunch of
weight so can fit anything, almost - Libelle is still too narrow at
the shoulders, can't operate the spoilers without bsckhanding the
handle.

Tom

Marc Ramsey > wrote in message >...
> Thomas F. Dixon wrote:
> > Mosquito, PIK 20, SGS 1-35, LS6, Mini Nimbus, all have good size
> > cockpits.
>
> An LS6 has a good size cockpit?? Surely you jest...

[Marc Ramsey]

Thomas F. Dixon wrote:
> When I had my "C" model I punched in at 230# ( before the chute) and
> 5'10" and real broad at the shoulders and hip and I fit it just fine.
> There was no way that I could even get in a Libelle or any other
> narrow cockpit. Had no trouble in the LS6-C, SGS 1-35, Mosquito, Pik
> 20, Open Cirrus, Blanik, etc, etc. We are not talking about weight
> issues just size. Don't have that problem any more lost a bunch of
> weight so can fit anything, almost - Libelle is still too narrow at
> the shoulders, can't operate the spoilers without bsckhanding the
> handle.

I can (just barely) fit in and comfortably fly an LS6, and I'm 6' and
210 pounds. But, I have long legs and a relatively short torso. More
normally proportioned individuals in the 6' and over range end up with
their head jammed up against the canopy. Sure, there are sometimes ways
to finesse things, like modifying or removing the seatback. But, while
the cockpit isn't quite as tiny as a Libelle or Discus A, it certainly
isn't anywhere near as comfortable for larger pilots as the other
gliders mentioned...

Marc

[JJ Sinclair]

>
>When I had my "C" model I punched in at 230# ( before the chute) and
>5'10" and real broad at the shoulders and hip and I fit it just fine.

Kinda' broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hip, Everybody knew you didn't
give no lip, to TOM.
JJ Sinclair

[Chip Bearden]

> I am 6'2'. I fit in my libelle with absolutely no problems.

6'3" and 180 lbs.: flew a 201 Libelle quite comfortably for years.

There are a number of prior postings on this subject (do a search
using Google Groups) so I won't repeat at length.

Three points:

1. As one poster noted, height is not the sole criterion. As important
is the ratio of leg to torso length. The only way to find out is to
sit in the cockpit.

2. Also a major factor is the parachute: how thick and, as important,
where the max. thickness is: top of the pack, bottom, or even
thickness. The only way to find out is to try it on in the cockpit.
Ask around/borrow and test it with at least three or four different
types/brands of chutes.

3. Adjusting the seat back (many allow adjusting the bottom mounting
point as well as the angle) or even removing it can make a world of
difference. So can different instrument panels (higher cutouts for the
knees), etc.

Bottom line: try it out yourself.

Chip Bearden

[Thomas F. Dixon]

JJ:
For the last few years I have watched you slide into that big two
place and wondered what it would be like to have all that room. The
only way I could come close to duplicating it was to loose about 50#'s
which is what I did, but you are right the spread is still above the
shoulders, the shoulders and the hips. Have not figured out a way to
change the bone mass.
Hope to see you at Ephrata again this summer.

Tom


(JJ Sinclair) wrote in message >...
> >
> >When I had my "C" model I punched in at 230# ( before the chute) and
> >5'10" and real broad at the shoulders and hip and I fit it just fine.
>
> Kinda' broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hip, Everybody knew you didn't
> give no lip, to TOM.
> JJ Sinclair

[Robert Ehrlich]

Marc Ramsey wrote:
> ...
> More normally proportioned individuals in the 6' and over range end up with
> their head jammed up against the canopy ...
> ...

This vision of normality seams to exclude most of the fem6 ftinine half
of humanity as "normally proportioned individuals" ... plus myself :-)