Schempp-Hirth 2a/2b cockpit fit vs ASW-20?

On Thursday, April 5, 2012 5:50:34 PM UTC-4, wrote:
I have a friend with an ASW-20 who is looking at two Schempp-Hirth gliders - one is a 2a and the other is a 2b, and wondering if he will fit. Anyone out there have experience with sizes of these two cockpits relative to his current ASW-20?

TIA

Frank (TA)

Frank, does the 20 belong to anyone I know? I have a friend looking for a good 20 on the east half.

Gary - GB

Discus 2A that I own:
I am 220# and 5'11" at present. Shorter legs and and longer upper torso
by normal standards.
I flew a Discus A quite some time ago and didn't like it too snug and I
couldn't reach the panel.
The 2A is somewhat different. Tilt-up panel, so it sits closer to you
and is reachable at least for me. 2A has more hip room and in not snug
in this area for me. Canopy rail dimension is the same as the original
A model. This area is snug for me, but I really don't notice it in the
air. Fit as far as length is not an issue as the rudder peddles will
push out further than I can reach.

I fly a V2C. I believe that fuselage is identical to a 2B.
I fly recreational long XC in the Sierras, dressed for flying at
freezing point.
I always wear a parachute.
At 5'10" and 155lbs bare, the seating is comfortable, but still not
overly roomy sideways.
My seating is fairly reclined. Head room is more than adequate. Panel
reach is fine, rudder paddles are 2/3 back.
Long XC (+6 hours) is fine with no back aches, but not much room to
move.
Reaching into the back of side pockets is doable with a little bit of
stress.
Filling the front of the side pockets takes away from the room for
your arms.
I removed the cable for the back adjustment to have more space in the
arm area.
Reaching the storage shelf behind the head rest is close to
impossible. I can barely pull a fleece from the back.

I sat in a friend's Discus A and concluded that is was not for me. Too
tight for my comfortable recreational flying requirements.
Maybe acceptable if you want to sacrifice the comfort for a little
less drag for competitive advantage.
(My friend is about same size and achieved top5 OLC score in this
DiscusA, so it is for sure doable)

3U

On Apr 6, 2:30*pm, Three Uniform wrote:
I fly a V2C. I believe that fuselage is identical to a 2B.
I fly recreational long XC in the Sierras, dressed for flying at
freezing point.
I always wear a parachute.
At 5'10" and 155lbs bare, the seating is comfortable, but still not
overly roomy sideways.
My seating is fairly reclined. Head room is more than adequate. Panel
reach is fine, rudder paddles are 2/3 back.
Long XC (+6 hours) is fine with no back aches, but not much room to
move.
Reaching into the back of side pockets is doable with a little bit of
stress.
Filling the front of the side pockets takes away from the room for
your arms.
I removed the cable for the back adjustment to have more space in the
arm area.
Reaching the storage shelf behind the head rest is close to
impossible. I can barely pull a fleece from the back.

I sat in a friend's Discus A and concluded that is was not for me. Too
tight for my comfortable recreational flying requirements.
Maybe acceptable if you want to sacrifice the comfort for a little
less drag for competitive advantage.
(My friend is about same size and achieved top5 OLC score in this
DiscusA, so it is for sure doable)

3U

The Ventus 2c is completely different from the 2b, as are the Discus
2b, 2C. The 2C's are much longer and more comfortable. The 2C's are
the only sailplane I can fly with a backpack parachute. I am 197 cm,
6'-5"+. There is about 3" more legroom in the 2C models. ASW20 and
V2b, Db cockpits are very similar in size.
Rick Walters

There's only so much you can learn from other pilots' reports of
cockpit size. A friend flew an original Ventus A happily even though
he was only a few inches shorter than my 6' 3". I couldn't even fit
into a Ventus B. The key was that he was long legs/short torso. Glad
to hear the V2c is much longer. I recall Rick Walters' "headrest"
chute he used in his Discus.

Another very important factor is the parachute; all thinpacks are not
created equal. With my relatively long torso height, I need a chute
that's thin behind the shoulders and thick in the lumbar region. Most
thinpacks seem to be evenly thick or the opposite of what I need. The
Softie Wedge model is one exception and allows me to recline more and
thus gain some headroom. As with the cockpit itself, the only way to
really tell for certain is to try it on.

Finally, with some gliders, you can make changes in the cockpit. Quite
a few pilots removed the backrest from the ASW 19/20 to fly more
comfortably. My own ASW 24 was altered at the factory to delete the
backrest, swap the factory instrument panel for an aftermarket one
with higher knee cutouts, and move the pedals forward a few cm. Much
of this could be done by the owner.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA