On Monday, March 9, 2015 at 12:16:15 PM UTC+13, son_of_flubber wrote:

Correct if I'm wrong folks, but assuming C&G is within limits and assuming I can reasonably fit in the bird, soloing in a two seater shouldn't be an issue as they'd likely have a minimum useful load of at least 300lb.

You also have to get yourself into and (even harder) OUT of the glider. This can be a problem for people that are well under the placarded weight limit. Many pilots bring one knee up to their chests, then push up with one leg and two arms. If you're big and the console is fixed, then your knee will probably not clear the bottom edge of the console. Without the leg up, you'd have to use your arms. Might be possible if you're a body builder. How many 'dips' can you do?

I've never been 300 lb, but I've been 285. And many times done 6 or 8 flights with students in an afternoon. I've never had any problem getting in or out of gliders, whether it be the back seat of the DG1000 or a PW5 or Libelle. And I certainly don't do push-ups!

I wouldn't want to do it under a 2 or 3 G loading, but on the ground? Not a problem.

And for Bill T, the only glider I've even flown where I couldn't get full control deflection was ailerons on the ASK13. I understand that's not uncommon.