6'7" and looking for a glider

[Rob[_10_]]

I've been reading tall pilot threads here from a few years back, and I wanted to start a new thread. I'm 6'7" 230 lbs with a bit of a taller torso and I'm on the lookout for a glider. I've noticed that legroom isn't usually an issue, but with many gliders, closing the canopy is a problem.

I've been doing my training in a Blanik L-23 and I can fit OK, not the best, but no issues with the training. I've tried to fit in the ASK-21, no way. I'm wondering if I can fit in the G103 so I can go to a commercial operation and finish my rating.

So far, I fit in the following:

L-33 Solo - very comfortably I might add. I've been doing my solo work in one.
PW-5 - very comfortable. Haven't flown one yet.

Ideally, I'd like to do cross country and earn badges. I was talked out of these two because they're not the best performers for cross country and I received what seems to be a solid advice to keep looking for something I'd be happier with longer term, so here we go.

Jantar Std 3 seems like a good fit. Can't find many for sale.
LS-3A is a good fit, but would likely need a very thin parachute. I would presume LS-4 is a good fit as well.
Mosquito was a little tight.
Standard Cirrus - could not close the canopy with all the cushions out too. That was a bummer.
DG-300 and 500 seemed like a good fit.
PIK-20 - could not close the canopy.
G102 - could not close the canopy.
Discus - could not close the canopy.

If I hit the lottery, I'd be all over an Arcus M - fantastic fit, beautiful ship and a decimal place out of my price range. Ideally, I'm looking for something in the 15-25k range. Anyone selling?

[AS]

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 10:46:02 PM UTC-5, Rob wrote:
> I've been reading tall pilot threads here from a few years back, and I wanted to start a new thread. I'm 6'7" 230 lbs with a bit of a taller torso and I'm on the lookout for a glider. I've noticed that legroom isn't usually an issue, but with many gliders, closing the canopy is a problem.
>
> I've been doing my training in a Blanik L-23 and I can fit OK, not the best, but no issues with the training. I've tried to fit in the ASK-21, no way. I'm wondering if I can fit in the G103 so I can go to a commercial operation and finish my rating.
>
> So far, I fit in the following:
>
> L-33 Solo - very comfortably I might add. I've been doing my solo work in one.
> PW-5 - very comfortable. Haven't flown one yet.
>
> Ideally, I'd like to do cross country and earn badges. I was talked out of these two because they're not the best performers for cross country and I received what seems to be a solid advice to keep looking for something I'd be happier with longer term, so here we go.
>
> Jantar Std 3 seems like a good fit. Can't find many for sale.
> LS-3A is a good fit, but would likely need a very thin parachute. I would presume LS-4 is a good fit as well.
> Mosquito was a little tight.
> Standard Cirrus - could not close the canopy with all the cushions out too. That was a bummer.
> DG-300 and 500 seemed like a good fit.
> PIK-20 - could not close the canopy.
> G102 - could not close the canopy.
> Discus - could not close the canopy.
>
> If I hit the lottery, I'd be all over an Arcus M - fantastic fit, beautiful ship and a decimal place out of my price range. Ideally, I'm looking for something in the 15-25k range. Anyone selling?

Rob - did you consider the 18m Cirrus? We had a young guy in our club, who was over 2m tall and he did fly the open Cirrus with the seat all the way back while wearing a thin parachute.

Uli
'AS'

[Rob[_10_]]

Hi Uli, I sat in the Standard Cirrus and we couldn’t close the canopy. Reading various posts here, I’m getting some conflicting information about the fit in the Open Cirrus. I thought the difference was only 15m vs. 18m but the cockpit staying the same. Am I wrong?

Cheers,

Rob

[[email protected]]

Rob,

We really need to try you in the Std Cirrus again as I am 6'2 and fit fine with a chute and the seat back out... Did you try it without the seat back?

Tony

[Rob[_10_]]

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 11:19:32 PM UTC-6, wrote:
> Rob,
>
> We really need to try you in the Std Cirrus again as I am 6'2 and fit fine with a chute and the seat back out... Did you try it without the seat back?
>
> Tony

Hi Tony,

I tried Jacques' ship, and I could get in OK legroom wise, but we couldn't close the canopy. I'm happy to try it again.

Rob

[[email protected]]

The LS-4 should fit you. I have “tried on” several gliders and the LS-4 is by far the most comfortable and largest cockpit I’ve tried. I’m 6’3”, 200lbs and tall in the torso.
John U.

[Nick Kennedy[_3_]]

Rob
If you can fit in a LS3a that would be a nice aircraft for you.
Have yu tried to fit in a ASW 20? Thats another good performer in your price range. Both those planes are nice to fly.
You may have to increase your budget to 30-35k for a nice on thou, maybe less if your not picky.
Good luck
Get a reasonably nice trailer.
A dog of a trailer is a major PITA

[[email protected]]

And... since Bob K. hasn't chimed in with his one-size-fits-all answer, I 'll go for it.

Sawzall.

[[email protected]]

Genesis?

[Rob[_10_]]

I think I might have tried ASW-20 and couldn't close the canopy - not 100% sure. I haven't tried or seen a Genesis, though the name keeps popping up, and I'd love to check one out. I did fit in LS3A and I like them, but aren't they the ones with really heavy wings so when you're rigging one, everyone scatters? Or am I thinking LS3?

[[email protected]]

It's..."different"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAK_Genesis_2

[Rob[_10_]]

On Friday, January 10, 2020 at 8:57:07 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> It's..."different"
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAK_Genesis_2

Do you know if there is one at SCOH? I'd like to check it out if there is.

[James Metcalfe]

At 05:01 10 January 2020, Rob wrote:
>... getting some conflicting information about the fit in the Open
Cirrus.
>I thought the difference was only 15m vs. 18m but the cockpit staying the
same ...

The Open Cirrus fuselage is very different, and my impression is that it
would be
better for a tall pilot (which I am not!). It also has a part fixed / part
lift-off canopy.
J.

[Tony[_5_]]

Mike Brooks has a Genesis at GHSA.

Open Cirrus and Standard Cirrus are almost nothing alike. Open Cirrus has a massive cockpit.

Make sure you not only fit but you are comfortable. Your going to be wanting to spend 5-6 hrs in that seat...

[Roy B.]

Rob:
A few suggestions.

First, consider a thin pack parachute and race driver shoes (thin soles/no heels)

Gliders that fit big guys: Open Cirris, 17 or 19m Kestrels, ASW-15 or 17 with seat back removed (actually any of the Schleichers with the seat back removed) and 304cz

Contact Gordon Boettger. He is a pretty tall guy as I recall and about your size.

[[email protected]]

There was a very tall (about your size IIRC) German pilot at Ridge Soaring several years ago. If I'm not mistaken, he was on their national team. I don't remember what glider he was flying but he had a parachute rig that had the container for the canopy stored in the "baggage'area and attached to his harness. It was an interesting set up - maybe custom made?

I have an ASW 15 and you can cross that off your list. At 6'1", with a chute on and seat back removed my head was less than an inch from the canopy.

If you can fit in an ASW 20 with the seat back out, I have a Pegase that I will likely be selling in the spring. Same fuselage more or less, depending on who you talk to.

[AS]

On Friday, January 10, 2020 at 12:01:06 AM UTC-5, Rob wrote:
> Hi Uli, I sat in the Standard Cirrus and we couldn’t close the canopy. Reading various posts here, I’m getting some conflicting information about the fit in the Open Cirrus. I thought the difference was only 15m vs. 18m but the cockpit staying the same. Am I wrong?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rob

Rob - please try to find an 'open Cirrus' and sit in it. They are totally different ships - their fuselages are completely different and very roomy!

Uli
'AS'

[AS]

On Friday, January 10, 2020 at 11:01:02 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> There was a very tall (about your size IIRC) German pilot at Ridge Soaring several years ago. If I'm not mistaken, he was on their national team. I don't remember what glider he was flying but he had a parachute rig that had the container for the canopy stored in the "baggage'area and attached to his harness. It was an interesting set up - maybe custom made?
>
> I have an ASW 15 and you can cross that off your list. At 6'1", with a chute on and seat back removed my head was less than an inch from the canopy.
>
> If you can fit in an ASW 20 with the seat back out, I have a Pegase that I will likely be selling in the spring. Same fuselage more or less, depending on who you talk to.

>> ... but he had a parachute rig that had the container for the canopy stored in the "baggage'area and attached to his harness. It was an interesting set up - maybe custom made? <<
That would have been the 'Kohnke-Päckchen', which was very popular in Europe. It was a static line chute which was stored in the luggage compartment and attached to a harness via two carabiners.

Uli
'AS'

[Martin Gregorie[_6_]]

On Fri, 10 Jan 2020 08:00:59 -0800, mdfadden wrote:

> If you can fit in an ASW 20 with the seat back out, I have a Pegase that
> I will likely be selling in the spring. Same fuselage more or less,
> depending on who you talk to.
>
I can confirm that Centrair built ASW-20s under license (many fitted with
a lifting panel as standard) and didn't renew the license when it
expired. Instead they rolled out the Pegase, which is basically an ASW 20
with new wings, which have a different section and no flaps. The fuselage
is tweaked slightly. The cockpit air intake is at the nose, the NACA
ducts under the wing are faired over (if you look carefully at a Peg you
can see where they were on the 20) and a lifting panel is standard.

The ASW-19 has the same fuselage, so if you're comfortable in one of
these, you'll be right at home in the other two, give or take a flap
lever!

The late-model Pegs (Pegase 90) have fully self-connecting controls and
somebody in Europe is or was converting 101s to self-connecting - I've
seen one or two round my club.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 9:01:06 PM UTC-8, Rob wrote:

> ...Open Cirrus.

"Didn't you guys ever _watch_ the show?"

[Rob[_10_]]

I did not know that about Open Cirrus. I thought it was the same cockpit.

It was interesting that a number of ships I tried that everyone was certain I could fit in, I did fit just fine legroom-wise, but could not close the canopy.

I'm in the Houston area, and I have an airplane, so any excuse to go fly is very welcome. If anyone's got an Open Cirrus or Genesis 2 or maybe Discus 2b or Nimbus, or prety much anything for a tall guy in area, I'd love to check it out. What's for sale in the area?

[[email protected]]

Rob,

You're welcome to sit in my LS-4 this weekend to see how it fits if you'd like. I know Erik Saxon posted his LS-4a for sale here the other day and they're a fantastic first ship and are quite comfortable also. If you fit, that might be a very good consideration.

I really enjoyed my Standard Cirrus and am surprised you didn't fit. I'd second Tony's recommendation that we try it again just to be sure. We'll find a good bird that'll fit your shape and budget!

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Friday, January 10, 2020 at 10:08:25 AM UTC-8, Rob wrote:

> It was interesting that a number of ships I tried that everyone was certain I could fit in, I did fit just fine legroom-wise, but could not close the canopy.

I studied anthropometry in my Human Factors courses, and I've had the opportunity to observe how a wide variety of people fit into sailplanes. It is kind of amazing how much variability there is in the relative sizes of arms, legs, and torsos, and how much difference it makes in cockpit fit.

Unfortunately, your height places you up around the 99.9 percentile, which is a sparsely accommodated corner case.

If for whatever reason you wanted to build your own glider, we could adapt our cockpit to fit you.

If there's a glider you really like, but don't fit into, you might consider having the cockpit modified to suit. From what you describe, it's your torso length that's critical, and moving the control stick and bolster forward could give you the room you need. There are a couple shops around the US that could do this kind of modification work, though it would really help if the glider carried an experimental airworthiness certificate. As you might expect, resale value will likely take a hit, so you'll want to factor that into your calculations.

--Bob K.

[Scott Williams[_2_]]

On Friday, January 10, 2020 at 12:26:17 PM UTC-6, wrote:
> Rob,
>
> You're welcome to sit in my LS-4 this weekend to see how it fits if you'd like. I know Erik Saxon posted his LS-4a for sale here the other day and they're a fantastic first ship and are quite comfortable also. If you fit, that might be a very good consideration.
>
> I really enjoyed my Standard Cirrus and am surprised you didn't fit. I'd second Tony's recommendation that we try it again just to be sure. We'll find a good bird that'll fit your shape and budget!

I'm in Norman Oklahoma, I have a standard cirrus and a mosquito, both at Hinton Oklahoma, If you want to sit in them, I fly the Standard with a 3 inch back Strong chute and a 2 inch pad, I'm 6 2, 130.
Scott

[Gordon Walker[_2_]]

The best cockpit for tall people is I believe the Slingsby Vega? So might
be worth a try?

[[email protected]]

On Friday, January 10, 2020 at 2:35:48 PM UTC-5, Bob Kuykendall wrote:
>
>
> I studied anthropometry in my Human Factors courses, and I've had the opportunity to observe how a wide variety of people fit into sailplanes. It is kind of amazing how much variability there is in the relative sizes of arms, legs, and torsos, and how much difference it makes in cockpit fit.
>
> ...

Yup. I'm thin, and only 5'10" or so, but have long legs relative to torso. I need a large frame bicycle, but then the handlebars are too far forward.. I bought a "Russia" glider, the first model (AC4a), one of the early specimens (before they lengthened the cockpit), and was surprised that my legs wouldn't fit. Moving the seat-back back to the bulkhead, and adding a bunch of padding under thighs, I've managed to get it to work for me while wearing a parachute (many 5+ hour flights). That cockpit is wider than I need, though. It's nice to have room for all the junk I carry with me, but performance suffers a bit. (It still has plenty of XC capability, and so would the L33 and PW5.)

[Michael Opitz]

At 18:08 10 January 2020, Rob wrote:
>I did not know that about Open Cirrus. I thought it was the same
cockpit.=
>=20
>
>It was interesting that a number of ships I tried that everyone was
>certain=
> I could fit in, I did fit just fine legroom-wise, but could not close
the
>=
>canopy.=20
>
>I'm in the Houston area, and I have an airplane, so any excuse to
go fly
>is=
> very welcome. If anyone's got an Open Cirrus or Genesis 2 or
maybe Discus
>=
>2b or Nimbus, or prety much anything for a tall guy in area, I'd
love to
>ch=
>eck it out. What's for sale in the area?=20
>
>
I am 6'2" with a long torso (39" sitting height). I have had my
Discus-2b for 20 years now. I can sit in it - the rudder pedals pulled
back 2 notches with my legs still flat on the floor, a regular Strong
Paracushion-seat/back chute with the seat-back still installed and
have plenty of room. After having been crammed into various other
top line racing gliders (and at a competitive disadvantage due to
comfort factors), I have been extremely happy with my D-2b. Mike
Westbrook has one for sale in the DFW area. The only issue is that
it is way above your desired price point. V-2b has the same cockpit.
When I visited S-H to see the prototype D-2b, I told Tilo and Biggo
my concerns about my size. They just smiled and said that we
should go try it on for size. Once I sat in it and realized how much
room I had, Tilo and Biggo said that they had figured that it was
time to build a cockpit that almost anyone could fit into. That sold
me.

You may look at the SZD 55-1 too. I hear it has a large cockpit.
Gordon Boettger had a Grob Twin Astir 1 and a Kestrel at one point.
There are different STD Cirrus models. I understand that the later
Cirrus 76 (or was it 75?) models have a larger cockpit.

Good luck!

RO

[Martin Gregorie[_6_]]

On Fri, 10 Jan 2020 20:11:35 +0000, Michael Opitz wrote:

> At 18:08 10 January 2020, Rob wrote:
>>I did not know that about Open Cirrus. I thought it was the same
> cockpit.=
>>=20
>>
>>It was interesting that a number of ships I tried that everyone was
>>certain=
>> I could fit in, I did fit just fine legroom-wise, but could not close
> the
>>=
>>canopy.=20
>>
>>I'm in the Houston area, and I have an airplane, so any excuse to
> go fly
>>is=
>> very welcome. If anyone's got an Open Cirrus or Genesis 2 or
> maybe Discus
>>=
>>2b or Nimbus, or prety much anything for a tall guy in area, I'd
> love to
>>ch=
>>eck it out. What's for sale in the area?=20
>>
>>
> I am 6'2" with a long torso (39" sitting height). I have had my
> Discus-2b for 20 years now. I can sit in it - the rudder pedals pulled
> back 2 notches with my legs still flat on the floor, a regular Strong
> Paracushion-seat/back chute with the seat-back still installed and have
> plenty of room. After having been crammed into various other top line
> racing gliders (and at a competitive disadvantage due to comfort
> factors), I have been extremely happy with my D-2b. Mike Westbrook has
> one for sale in the DFW area. The only issue is that it is way above
> your desired price point. V-2b has the same cockpit. When I visited S-H
> to see the prototype D-2b, I told Tilo and Biggo my concerns about my
> size. They just smiled and said that we should go try it on for size.
> Once I sat in it and realized how much room I had, Tilo and Biggo said
> that they had figured that it was time to build a cockpit that almost
> anyone could fit into. That sold me.
>
> I understand that the later Cirrus 76 (or
> was it 75?) models have a larger cockpit.
>
I sat in one of those late Cirrii once - truly cavernous to sit in.

Another glider with a big cockpit is the 205 Club Libelle. It has a very
different fuselage to the other Libelles or the Mosquito, with a roomy
cockpit: it was designed to be a club hack, so designing in a big cockpit
was a good move. There's one in my club. It doesn't seem to give a lot
away in performance compared to the Standard Libelle: climbs well but a
little slower in a straight line. Its a nice, clean shape with really
nice fairing round the wing root and its owners like it. I don't know how
many, if any, there are in the USA.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

[[email protected]]

Martin we have one in our club. It is pretty roomy and does climb well.

[[email protected]]

I had similar problem.

Decided to go with DG300. Never regreted. Most comfortable of alk i tried. Performs very well.

S

[Nick Kennedy[_3_]]

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 8:46:02 PM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
> I've been reading tall pilot threads here from a few years back, and I wanted to start a new thread. I'm 6'7" 230 lbs with a bit of a taller torso and I'm on the lookout for a glider. I've noticed that legroom isn't usually an issue, but with many gliders, closing the canopy is a problem.
>
> I've been doing my training in a Blanik L-23 and I can fit OK, not the best, but no issues with the training. I've tried to fit in the ASK-21, no way. I'm wondering if I can fit in the G103 so I can go to a commercial operation and finish my rating.
>
> So far, I fit in the following:
>
> L-33 Solo - very comfortably I might add. I've been doing my solo work in one.
> PW-5 - very comfortable. Haven't flown one yet.
>
> Ideally, I'd like to do cross country and earn badges. I was talked out of these two because they're not the best performers for cross country and I received what seems to be a solid advice to keep looking for something I'd be happier with longer term, so here we go.
>
> Jantar Std 3 seems like a good fit. Can't find many for sale.
> LS-3A is a good fit, but would likely need a very thin parachute. I would presume LS-4 is a good fit as well.
> Mosquito was a little tight.
> Standard Cirrus - could not close the canopy with all the cushions out too. That was a bummer.
> DG-300 and 500 seemed like a good fit.
> PIK-20 - could not close the canopy.
> G102 - could not close the canopy.
> Discus - could not close the canopy.
>
> If I hit the lottery, I'd be all over an Arcus M - fantastic fit, beautiful ship and a decimal place out of my price range. Ideally, I'm looking for something in the 15-25k range. Anyone selling?

Rob
The LS3a has the lighter wings, of the 2 models, the LS3 slightly heavier wings but not a deal breaker.
Those LS gliders fly nice! And are available now. 40/1
That 40/1 is a magic number I think for XC
You can go XC in anything, but 40/1 makes it so much easier.
You can go places and get home. That L33 PW5 not so much IMHO

[[email protected]]

On Friday, January 10, 2020 at 12:08:25 PM UTC-6, Rob wrote:
> I did not know that about Open Cirrus. I thought it was the same cockpit.
>
> It was interesting that a number of ships I tried that everyone was certain I could fit in, I did fit just fine legroom-wise, but could not close the canopy.
>
> I'm in the Houston area, and I have an airplane, so any excuse to go fly is very welcome. If anyone's got an Open Cirrus or Genesis 2 or maybe Discus 2b or Nimbus, or prety much anything for a tall guy in area, I'd love to check it out. What's for sale in the area?

Rob - as Tony mentioned up-thread, I have a Genesis 2 just south of you at GHSA that you are welcome to try on for size. Mine's not for sale, but I think there is one for sale in W&W. It's the largest glider cockpit I've seen.. I know for sure it'll fit 6'5" pilots and I'm pretty certain it'll fit you. I'm 5'11", so I am swimming around in the ship. Lots of room and comfortable. Good luck finding a ship and let me know if I can help.

[Ventus_a]

;1007955']On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 8:46:02 PM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
I've been reading tall pilot threads here from a few years back, and I wanted to start a new thread. I'm 6'7" 230 lbs with a bit of a taller torso and I'm on the lookout for a glider. I've noticed that legroom isn't usually an issue, but with many gliders, closing the canopy is a problem.

I've been doing my training in a Blanik L-23 and I can fit OK, not the best, but no issues with the training. I've tried to fit in the ASK-21, no way. I'm wondering if I can fit in the G103 so I can go to a commercial operation and finish my rating.

So far, I fit in the following:

L-33 Solo - very comfortably I might add. I've been doing my solo work in one.
PW-5 - very comfortable. Haven't flown one yet.

Ideally, I'd like to do cross country and earn badges. I was talked out of these two because they're not the best performers for cross country and I received what seems to be a solid advice to keep looking for something I'd be happier with longer term, so here we go.

Jantar Std 3 seems like a good fit. Can't find many for sale.
LS-3A is a good fit, but would likely need a very thin parachute. I would presume LS-4 is a good fit as well.
Mosquito was a little tight.
Standard Cirrus - could not close the canopy with all the cushions out too. That was a bummer.
DG-300 and 500 seemed like a good fit.
PIK-20 - could not close the canopy.
G102 - could not close the canopy.
Discus - could not close the canopy.

If I hit the lottery, I'd be all over an Arcus M - fantastic fit, beautiful ship and a decimal place out of my price range. Ideally, I'm looking for something in the 15-25k range. Anyone selling?

Rob
The LS3a has the lighter wings, of the 2 models, the LS3 slightly heavier wings but not a deal breaker.
Those LS gliders fly nice! And are available now. 40/1
That 40/1 is a magic number I think for XC
You can go XC in anything, but 40/1 makes it so much easier.
You can go places and get home. That L33 PW5 not so much IMHO

Ah! The good old 'you can go places easier and get home with more l/d' True to a certain extent although I think the best way to look at more l/d was what I was told when I moved up to a Nimbus 3d

"You now have the ability to landout further from home"

:-) Colin

[Charles Longley]

I am 6’1” and have gone from an ASW19 to a 20. They have very similar cockpits. I fit OK I. Them but wouldn’t want to be any taller. I occasionally would hit my head on the canopy during rough landing in the 19.

[[email protected]]

There is a mininimbus c just listed on w&w. Same cockpit as nimbus.

[Matt McBee]

I have a DG-101G. I am 6’ 0” and barely have enough head clearance.

Matt

[Martin Gregorie[_6_]]

On Sat, 11 Jan 2020 08:36:25 -0800, robertholliday49 wrote:

> There is a mininimbus c just listed on w&w. Same cockpit as nimbus.

<Cough>

The Mini-nimbus combined a Standard Cirrus fuselage and tail, so *Std
Cirrus* cockpit, with Glasflugel Mosquito wings and Glasflugel style self-
connecting controls. The C version had the late Std Cirrus tailplane
(with elevators, not all-flying tail). Lighter carbon wings were a
factory option.

So, probably not a good fit for the OP, though the one based at my club
seems to go very well and accumulates a lot of hours each year.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

[[email protected]]

I'm 6'3" with a tall torso. I see the term "thin chute" being tossed around.. All are not the same. Some are thin in the lumbar area, others behind the shoulders, and many are pretty evenly thick...er, thin. I need a chute with very little thickness behind my shoulders so I can recline as much as possible.

Chip Bearden
JB

[Jordan[_2_]]

6'5" 230, ASW20 with the seat back removed, tilt up panel, custom headrest and chute and I fit great. It's for sale actually...

[Rob[_10_]]

Over the weekend, I tried again in Standard Cirrus and surprise, I actually fit. I'd have to adjust the headrest, but it actually worked. I also tried to sit in ASW-24 and I'd have to alter the panel so my knees fit.

I really appreciate all the advice and wisdom shared here. By all means, please keep it coming.

[[email protected]]

On Monday, January 13, 2020 at 9:50:51 PM UTC-6, Rob wrote:
> Over the weekend, I tried again in Standard Cirrus and surprise, I actually fit. I'd have to adjust the headrest, but it actually worked. I also tried to sit in ASW-24 and I'd have to alter the panel so my knees fit.
>
> I really appreciate all the advice and wisdom shared here. By all means, please keep it coming.

Sorry I missed you over the weekend but thought you'd fit in the Standard Cirrus and suspect you'll fit in the LS-4 also. We should try next weekend. They're both great for training cross country and incredible values as well.

Chuck

[krasw]

On Tuesday, 14 January 2020 05:50:51 UTC+2, Rob wrote:
> Over the weekend, I tried again in Standard Cirrus and surprise, I actually fit. I'd have to adjust the headrest, but it actually worked. I also tried to sit in ASW-24 and I'd have to alter the panel so my knees fit.
>
> I really appreciate all the advice and wisdom shared here. By all means, please keep it coming.

I'm quite tall and have had a lot of problems fitting in different gliders over the years. First step usually is to take out any seatback and cushions in the glider. Wear shoes designed for race car drivers, they are like leather socks with very thin soles. If this doesn't help, it's time to cut instrument panel, increasing leg openings helps a lot. And the last resort is to get a parachute you can install on hat shelf of glider. Just talked to 6'10" glider pilot last week, he has to do all these little modifications but can fly.

[[email protected]]

Modifications of the instrument panel can do a lot to help tall pilots fit in some cockpits. For example, the ASK21 with a much higher cut of the panel in the knee area should accommodate up to 2,05m tall pilots.

Aldo Cernezzi

[Martin Gregorie[_6_]]

On Tue, 14 Jan 2020 07:24:23 -0800, cernauta wrote:

> Modifications of the instrument panel can do a lot to help tall pilots
> fit in some cockpits. For example, the ASK21 with a much higher cut of
> the panel in the knee area should accommodate up to 2,05m tall pilots.
>
On a related point, something I've noticed but not seen anybody else
commenting on is that as an ASK-21 gets older, the panel droops a bit.

Its chiefly noticeable as a gap of anything up to 8-10mm appearing
between the top of the front seat panel and the glare shield. There's no
noticeable gap in a new one, but our oldest one, which was in the club
when I joined in March 2000, now has a quite obvious gap and so does at
least one of the '21s at Portmoak. I don't know why this happens unless
the panel is shockmounted and the mounting settles/droops as it gets
older.

I'm not a taller pilot but I don't have functional ankles, so can only
fly a '21 with the pedals nearly right back so I can put my feet on the
top of the pedals and the panel on our older '21 gets in the way when I
do this. Its evidently a variation on the problem that taller pilots can
have fitting into a '21..


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

[John Foster]

On Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 8:24:26 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> Modifications of the instrument panel can do a lot to help tall pilots fit in some cockpits. For example, the ASK21 with a much higher cut of the panel in the knee area should accommodate up to 2,05m tall pilots.
>
> Aldo Cernezzi

Yes. I had to build a new instrument panel with higher cut-outs for my knees for my Phoebus, and I'm only 6'1".

[Gary Wayland]

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 10:46:02 PM UTC-5, Rob wrote:
> I've been reading tall pilot threads here from a few years back, and I wanted to start a new thread. I'm 6'7" 230 lbs with a bit of a taller torso and I'm on the lookout for a glider. I've noticed that legroom isn't usually an issue, but with many gliders, closing the canopy is a problem.
>
> I've been doing my training in a Blanik L-23 and I can fit OK, not the best, but no issues with the training. I've tried to fit in the ASK-21, no way. I'm wondering if I can fit in the G103 so I can go to a commercial operation and finish my rating.
>
> So far, I fit in the following:
>
> L-33 Solo - very comfortably I might add. I've been doing my solo work in one.
> PW-5 - very comfortable. Haven't flown one yet.
>
> Ideally, I'd like to do cross country and earn badges. I was talked out of these two because they're not the best performers for cross country and I received what seems to be a solid advice to keep looking for something I'd be happier with longer term, so here we go.
>
> Jantar Std 3 seems like a good fit. Can't find many for sale.
> LS-3A is a good fit, but would likely need a very thin parachute. I would presume LS-4 is a good fit as well.
> Mosquito was a little tight.
> Standard Cirrus - could not close the canopy with all the cushions out too. That was a bummer.
> DG-300 and 500 seemed like a good fit.
> PIK-20 - could not close the canopy.
> G102 - could not close the canopy.
> Discus - could not close the canopy.
>
> If I hit the lottery, I'd be all over an Arcus M - fantastic fit, beautiful ship and a decimal place out of my price range. Ideally, I'm looking for something in the 15-25k range. Anyone selling?

My brother owns a Jantar Std 3. He bought it new and has owned it for years.. I flew it a couple of times. I think a 250 lb person at 8' tall could fit.. I'm 6'-0" and with the seat back I could barely reach the instrument panel. I think he might sell. Let me know and I will inquire.

Gary
ASW27b
"SQ"

[Frank Whiteley]

On Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 8:46:02 PM UTC-7, Rob wrote:
> I've been reading tall pilot threads here from a few years back, and I wanted to start a new thread. I'm 6'7" 230 lbs with a bit of a taller torso and I'm on the lookout for a glider. I've noticed that legroom isn't usually an issue, but with many gliders, closing the canopy is a problem.
>
> I've been doing my training in a Blanik L-23 and I can fit OK, not the best, but no issues with the training. I've tried to fit in the ASK-21, no way. I'm wondering if I can fit in the G103 so I can go to a commercial operation and finish my rating.
>
> So far, I fit in the following:
>
> L-33 Solo - very comfortably I might add. I've been doing my solo work in one.
> PW-5 - very comfortable. Haven't flown one yet.
>
> Ideally, I'd like to do cross country and earn badges. I was talked out of these two because they're not the best performers for cross country and I received what seems to be a solid advice to keep looking for something I'd be happier with longer term, so here we go.
>
> Jantar Std 3 seems like a good fit. Can't find many for sale.
> LS-3A is a good fit, but would likely need a very thin parachute. I would presume LS-4 is a good fit as well.
> Mosquito was a little tight.
> Standard Cirrus - could not close the canopy with all the cushions out too. That was a bummer.
> DG-300 and 500 seemed like a good fit.
> PIK-20 - could not close the canopy.
> G102 - could not close the canopy.
> Discus - could not close the canopy.
>
> If I hit the lottery, I'd be all over an Arcus M - fantastic fit, beautiful ship and a decimal place out of my price range. Ideally, I'm looking for something in the 15-25k range. Anyone selling?

Congratulations Rob on achieving your commercial glider rating today. Pictures on Seminole Lake's Facebook page.

Frank Whiteley

[Rob[_10_]]

Thank you Frank! Now onto find the right glider...

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

On Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 5:31:05 PM UTC-6, Rob wrote:
> Thank you Frank! Now onto find the right glider...

In dry southwest Texas I have my low time 1972 Standard Cirrus for sale with a very good enclosed trailer.
Serial number 187 after the factory wing incidence modification.
One of the preferred Club Class competition sailplanes.
Always hangared since 1998.
Email me at marfagliders at a0l d0t c0m for details, etc.