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#11
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Commodious Sailplane?
Add LS-3 to the list; cockpit is nearly identical to the LS-4. I'm 6'3"
and there was more extension in the seatback and pedals in my LS-3. Though I'm thin (180 lbs.), the cockpit is wide. But pay attention to the parachute. That can make all the difference. Even the thinner chutes are often thicker behind the shoulders tapering as you go down from there. I need the exact opposite to get in my ASW 24 (i.e., reclining further helps). Also know that removing the seatback is a time-honored remedy for taller guys in gliders like the ASW 20. And sometimes there are other steps possible if it's close and the airplane is perfect in every other respect. My 24, for example, arrived from the factory without a backrest and it has the rudder pedals extended a few cm and an aftermarket instrument panel that has higher knee cutouts. Later ASW models are more accommodating. There have been many threads on this subject on this newsgroup. Go to groups.google.com advanced search page and search RAS using terms such as tall pilot, big cockpit, etc. Chip Bearden ASW 24 "JB" |
#12
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Commodious Sailplane?
something I've not seen in all of the previous responses..
most of the foriegn built imported into the US gliders that I am familiar with have a 110kg per seat loading.. that is 242 lbs US. check the papers , w&b and max seat loading on anything you plan to buy BT "Jim" wrote in message news:ca0Wg.1916$La2.1639@fed1read08... I've been searching for a used sailplane for a month; most are proportioned for pilots not-so-large as me. Any recommendations for ships with commodious cockpit dimensions? Jim Hultman 6'3" 240 lb. Just call me 'Falstaffian". |
#13
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Commodious Sailplane?
BT wrote:
something I've not seen in all of the previous responses.. most of the foriegn built imported into the US gliders that I am familiar with have a 110kg per seat loading.. that is 242 lbs US. check the papers , w&b and max seat loading on anything you plan to buy BT "Jim" wrote in message news:ca0Wg.1916$La2.1639@fed1read08... I've been searching for a used sailplane for a month; most are proportioned for pilots not-so-large as me. Any recommendations for ships with commodious cockpit dimensions? Jim Hultman 6'3" 240 lb. Just call me 'Falstaffian". Note that the 242lb is a seatbelt ultimate strength limit, not a weight and balance issue. A little lead in the tail can sort that out easily. Personally I doubt I would be interested in the difference between my seatbelt failing at 15G or 14G, but if you want to fly a certified ship... |
#14
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Commodious Sailplane?
It may be the seatbelt or anchor point structural limit and may not be
the W/B limit. It's derived from the JAR22 miniumum maximum specification. Some airworthiness authorities do not recognize JAR22, however they often do specify operating within the stated operating manual/POH and placarded limits. Likewise, your insurance underwriter might have some specific compliance limitations. YMMV, Frank Whiteley Bruce Greef wrote: BT wrote: something I've not seen in all of the previous responses.. most of the foriegn built imported into the US gliders that I am familiar with have a 110kg per seat loading.. that is 242 lbs US. check the papers , w&b and max seat loading on anything you plan to buy BT "Jim" wrote in message news:ca0Wg.1916$La2.1639@fed1read08... I've been searching for a used sailplane for a month; most are proportioned for pilots not-so-large as me. Any recommendations for ships with commodious cockpit dimensions? Jim Hultman 6'3" 240 lb. Just call me 'Falstaffian". Note that the 242lb is a seatbelt ultimate strength limit, not a weight and balance issue. A little lead in the tail can sort that out easily. Personally I doubt I would be interested in the difference between my seatbelt failing at 15G or 14G, but if you want to fly a certified ship... |
#15
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Commodious Sailplane?
Frank.. I agree.. my books say 242# per seat.. period.. impact integraty for
the required g-impact rating for certification.. put a 300# person in the seat.. you may be within W&B.. but not impact rating.. so long insurance BT "Frank Whiteley" wrote in message ups.com... It may be the seatbelt or anchor point structural limit and may not be the W/B limit. It's derived from the JAR22 miniumum maximum specification. Some airworthiness authorities do not recognize JAR22, however they often do specify operating within the stated operating manual/POH and placarded limits. Likewise, your insurance underwriter might have some specific compliance limitations. YMMV, Frank Whiteley Bruce Greef wrote: BT wrote: something I've not seen in all of the previous responses.. most of the foriegn built imported into the US gliders that I am familiar with have a 110kg per seat loading.. that is 242 lbs US. check the papers , w&b and max seat loading on anything you plan to buy BT "Jim" wrote in message news:ca0Wg.1916$La2.1639@fed1read08... I've been searching for a used sailplane for a month; most are proportioned for pilots not-so-large as me. Any recommendations for ships with commodious cockpit dimensions? Jim Hultman 6'3" 240 lb. Just call me 'Falstaffian". Note that the 242lb is a seatbelt ultimate strength limit, not a weight and balance issue. A little lead in the tail can sort that out easily. Personally I doubt I would be interested in the difference between my seatbelt failing at 15G or 14G, but if you want to fly a certified ship... |
#16
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Commodious Sailplane?
BT wrote:
Frank.. I agree.. my books say 242# per seat.. period.. impact integraty for the required g-impact rating for certification.. put a 300# person in the seat.. you may be within W&B.. but not impact rating.. so long insurance BT "Frank Whiteley" wrote in message ups.com... It may be the seatbelt or anchor point structural limit and may not be the W/B limit. It's derived from the JAR22 miniumum maximum specification. Some airworthiness authorities do not recognize JAR22, however they often do specify operating within the stated operating manual/POH and placarded limits. Likewise, your insurance underwriter might have some specific compliance limitations. YMMV, Frank Whiteley Bruce Greef wrote: BT wrote: something I've not seen in all of the previous responses.. most of the foriegn built imported into the US gliders that I am familiar with have a 110kg per seat loading.. that is 242 lbs US. check the papers , w&b and max seat loading on anything you plan to buy BT "Jim" wrote in message news:ca0Wg.1916$La2.1639@fed1read08... I've been searching for a used sailplane for a month; most are proportioned for pilots not-so-large as me. Any recommendations for ships with commodious cockpit dimensions? Jim Hultman 6'3" 240 lb. Just call me 'Falstaffian". Note that the 242lb is a seatbelt ultimate strength limit, not a weight and balance issue. A little lead in the tail can sort that out easily. Personally I doubt I would be interested in the difference between my seatbelt failing at 15G or 14G, but if you want to fly a certified ship... Hmmm, you're within w&b, run into a downdraft, big sink, or rainshower perhaps just as you're getting back to the gliderport, come up short of the runway and break your bird. Being over 242 lbs. and therefore exceeding the rating for the seat/seatbelts contributes to the accident how???? I rather doubt that the insurance company would spend that much time looking for reasons not to pay. For what it's worth, I've pranged a glider and didn't get a single question from the insurance company beyond "give us a description of what happened". If they were that motivated to find discrepancies, I bet very few people would get payouts. Now, if it was a passenger that was hurt in the accident and he/she was over the seat rating, that would be a differnt case, particularly if there was a seat/seatbelt related failure during the prang. I don't see it happening in a single seater though. |
#17
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Commodious Sailplane?
Oh for crying out loud! Anyone who is over 242# really needs to summon his
willpower and lose 30-40#, then the problem will be solved... along with numerous other health problems. Is self discipline no longer in fashion these days? Frank.. I agree.. my books say 242# per seat.. period.. impact integraty for the required g-impact rating for certification.. put a 300# person in the seat.. you may be within W&B.. but not impact rating.. so long insurance BT |
#18
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Commodious Sailplane?
Guy Byars wrote: Oh for crying out loud! Always amazed me that the 110kg limit stuck around with beer drinking a national sport in Germany. Jim, I agree with the AS-W20 or 19 or B-fuselage Schempp (post-Ventus B), or LS-3 or 4 ideas. There are probably great deals on 2900-hour Pegase, too! AS-W27/28 are as comfy as it gets, but I think you originally were looking at Ka-6, so a far reach. Many cockpits can be modified to suit taller pilots. For example, my LS-6a (they appear at first to be too small for many pilots) got something similar to the "Harry Wuentzel mod": Cut the headrest off and bond it back on at more of an angle. This allows the seat back to be reclined further. Also cut new holes higher up for the shoulder belts, so they're comfortable if pulled tight against the 5th point. Suddenly, it's a tall cockpit, although a little tight for wide shouldered pilots. Make sure you're doing mods to an "Experimental" glider. Jim |
#19
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Commodious Sailplane?
I bet with all of the G forces when thermaling, it is easier to " dump your balast" in a "commodious sailplane"? John Sullivan |
#20
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Commodious Sailplane?
Next thing you'll be telling me to stop driving my Navigator to McDonald's!
Looking forward 50 years, when Americans are average 6'6", I wonder who'll be building our sailplanes? But your real issue may be an assumption that trim people are 'sharper' pilots. I welcome your proof, even if anecdotal. Jim "Guy Byars" wrote in message .. . Oh for crying out loud! Anyone who is over 242# really needs to summon his willpower and lose 30-40#, then the problem will be solved... along with numerous other health problems. Is self discipline no longer in fashion these days? Frank.. I agree.. my books say 242# per seat.. period.. impact integraty for the required g-impact rating for certification.. put a 300# person in the seat.. you may be within W&B.. but not impact rating.. so long insurance BT |
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