Tall pilots in Helo's...

What do you do if your'e extremely tall?? Can you put extensions on the pedals
on a bell 47, or R44? My seat in my Archer was modified to go back an extra 6"
which accomodates me fine, but I've yet to find a Helo I can sit in and keep my
feet on the pedals???

Help? I want my rotor rating!!

On 19 Aug 2003 01:35:02 GMT, (BEEPER708) wrote:

What do you do if your'e extremely tall?? Can you put extensions on the pedals
on a bell 47, or R44? My seat in my Archer was modified to go back an extra 6"
which accomodates me fine, but I've yet to find a Helo I can sit in and keep my
feet on the pedals???

Help? I want my rotor rating!!

How tall are you? Im 6-5 & fly the MD500, H300, Bell 47 no problem.

I know a double amputee who's a comm/cfi, which I wouldn't have thought
possible...
Sit down and try a helo on for size. If you can get full motion and effort
on both pedals, then no problem.
Wally, blessed by being average altitude.

(BEEPER708) wrote in message ...
I'm actually 6'2", but have a leg injury preventing me from bending my right
leg.

I was told this isn't something that would prevent me from obtaining a medical
as long as I can demonstrate ability.

I currently hold a private SEL, but am thinking about a rotor add-on.

Any suggestions??

I don't think this will keep you from obtaining a medical as long as
you can demonstrate ability with your leg. A light helicopter, such
as an H300 or R22 has very light pedal forces. I don't think you
would have a problem with them. If you want to go further, one word
of caution. Light turbines such as the AS350 have quite high pedal
forces in the event of hydraulic failure. I would estimate you'd need
to press 50-75 lbs during this procedure.

I'm actually 6'2", but have a leg injury preventing me from bending my right
leg.
SNIP
Any suggestions??

I'm 6'3" and can usually bend my legs OK ( depending on how
recently I have fallen off one of my bikes ) and I find most small
"helos" a tight squeeze. I have a long back/short legs too and
I simply can't fit into a Rotaway - even with all the seat padding
removed.

An R22 is borderline for me too but the Hughes 300C is marginally
better. A little harder to get into with the conventional cyclic - but
more comfortable once you are in. The Bell 47 / Safari 'home build'
arecvery roomy in the cabin.

I don't have any thoughts re your leg - I assume your ankle works
OK ? Best of luck.


Cheers IAN


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(BEEPER708) wrote in
:

Ankle is fine. The right leg however is straight as an
arrow. I was told that turbine helicopters require quote a
bit of rudder input, where something like a R22, Bell 47 or
300 require very little.

You were told wrong. The smaller the helicopter, the more
you'll have to work the pedals, both in frequency and amount of
movement. I've never flown an R22, but a 47 or 300 require lots
of pedal input, very quickly, while an S76 requires very little.
In almost any aircraft, the bigger it is the easier it is to
fly, both because of inertia and because the larger models tend
to have more systems to help the pilot. That said, if your
ankle moves freely, you should be alright, since that will
normally give you enough movement. I've known helicopter pilots
with artificial legs, & they have no real problems.

--
Regards,

Stan