Performance Glider for tall people

[ginopagino]

Hi,

which european medium/high performance glider would you reccommend for
tall people?
I am ~6.5 / 199cm and looking to buy something like a Discus but
apparently cockpit is supersmall

Any suggestions?

Many Tks

Caiuz

[Erik Braun]

Hi Caiuz,

Why not try a LS4? It has about the same performance and is more fun to fly
in my opinion. The cockpit is quite large and should be no problem.

Regards, Erik.

[Charles Yeates]

Met a German pilot last week who is 7 feet tall, touring North America
with his 26E !!!! He modified the rudder pedals, made special
instrument panel (space for knees), replaced the factory seat pan, and
modified the parachute harness so the chute sits on a shelf above his
shoulders. Not your standard ship, eh? -- but it shows what
determination and skills can do.

This is the third design he has modified. He says the resale value (to
TALL pilots) is excellent.

[Mike the Strike]

I have a Discus 2B and at 6" 0" have more room than I need. I am sure
that you will fit this and the similar Ventus fuselage.

Why don't you try a few out at your local glider field?

Mike

[Doug Haluza]

Holger Weitzel is the tallest glider pilot I know (I'm 6'0" and he
makes me look short). He flies an ASH26E for the roomy cockpit.

You might also want to consider a two-place ship like a DuoDiscus. I
fly a Janus, and it is quite comfortable in front and back.

[Nils Hoeimyr]

Jantar-Std 3 has a very long cockpit that fits pilots over 2 m.

Nils

[prus...@gmail.com]

I'm just under 6ft but once had a Ventus B (same fuse as the Discus B
or CS) and had to pull the rudder pedals back and put cushions behind
me to fit well with a parachute on. You might find someone with one
and see you can fit. Also, the PIK20D78 has a longer/larger fuse than
the other PIK20 models. See if you can find one of those to try on for
size as well. Even try taking out the seatback to make more room if it
is possible to do so.

Good luck! At my size I feel too tall for many gliders when wearing a
chute. You are just going to try on gliders until you find one that
fits..... Then find one to buy!

Patman
"CQ"

[jnbe...@aol.com]

Do a search on this newsgroup using groups.google.com for threads
relating to tall pilots--there have been quite a few over the years.

One caution is that the torso/leg length ratio is as important as
overall height. The original Ventus and Discus, for example, had good
leg room but were tight for pilots with long torsos, at least without
what I consider to be extreme measures such as parachutes stowed behind
the pilot's head (because of the danger in a crash of it breaking your
neck).

The parachute can also be a critical factor. Some parachutes have more
thickness in the lower back, others behind the shoulders (the former
works better for me, allowing me to recline more). Some have comfort
foam, which increases the thickness, some not. Sometimes even the way a
rigger packs the parachute will have an effect.

Removing the adjustable back rest may provide enough room to get a tall
pilot into the cockpit. If you're buying new, the factories will often
work with you. For my ASW 24, for example, Schleicher provided an
aftermarket instrument panel with higher cutouts for the knees, omitted
the rudder pedals (only the metal bars are there) and moved the
mounting forward a few cm, and replaced the adjustable seat back with
the covers for the baggage compartment used in the motorglider; they
form a nice backrest.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"

[Robert Backer]

There is a guy on our field who is 6'6" and after much research, he
settled on an LS3.

Bob

[Doug Haluza]

This brings up another good point. Your height is not the only factor.
The relative lengths of your torso and legs also matters. Long legs can
make it hard to reach the instrument panel, and a long torso can make
headroom a problem. Some Eastern European designs are built to match
different proportions.

T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:

> jnbe...@aol.com wrote:
>
> >The parachute can also be a critical factor. Some parachutes have more
> >thickness in the lower back, others behind the shoulders (the former
> >works better for me, allowing me to recline more). Some have comfort
> >foam, which increases the thickness, some not. Sometimes even the way a
> >rigger packs the parachute will have an effect.
> >
> >Removing the adjustable back rest may provide enough room to get a tall
> >pilot into the cockpit.
>

> My Ventus C/B required that I cut the adjustable seatback
> in half, then reglass it. This gave more space behind my
> lower back, allowing my chute to drop into that space, and
> dropping my head an inch or so. Of course, I then found my
> arms were just a bit short for adjusting the radio and
> vario, but adding extensions (to the knobs, not the arms)
> fixed that. I would have removed the seat back, but the
> headrest is attached to it
> --
> T o d d P a t t i s t - "WH" Ventus C
> (Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)

[Doug Haluza]

This brings up another good point. Your height is not the only factor.
The relative lengths of your torso and legs also matters. Long legs can
make it hard to reach the instrument panel, and a long torso can make
headroom a problem. Some Eastern European designs are built to match
different proportions.

T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:
> jnbe...@aol.com wrote:
>

> >The parachute can also be a critical factor. Some parachutes have more
> >thickness in the lower back, others behind the shoulders (the former
> >works better for me, allowing me to recline more). Some have comfort
> >foam, which increases the thickness, some not. Sometimes even the way a
> >rigger packs the parachute will have an effect.
> >
> >Removing the adjustable back rest may provide enough room to get a tall
> >pilot into the cockpit.
>

[Andreas Maurer]

On 28 Aug 2006 02:48:31 -0700, "ginopagino" <dcai...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Hi,
>
>which european medium/high performance glider would you reccommend for
>tall people?
>I am ~6.5 / 199cm and looking to buy something like a Discus but
>apparently cockpit is supersmall

Being 2.01m myself, here's my list of gliders that I fit in:

ASW-19/20/Pegase (very comfortable with seatback removed)
ASW-24 (special chute required - Kohnke Paeckchen)
ASW-27 (special chute required, seatback removed)
ASW-28 (special chute required, seatback removed)

DG-300/600/800 (very comfortable)

Ventus c
Discus b
Discus 2b (very comfortable)
Ventus 2b (very comfortable)
Nimbus 2 (very comfortable)
Janus/Duo Discus/Numbus 3D/4D front seat (comfortable)

LS-3/4 (very comfortable)
LS-6/7/8 (long enough, but a little narrow for my taste)

Choose one... ;)

Bye
Andreas

[CD]

I'm 6"5 and have long legs. My advise is to try to sit in as many
gliders you can - go to a contest or large club and start asking.
I have a thin parachute by Butler and wear wrestling shoes or anything
with thin soles (sneakers easily add an inch to your leg length).

My experience:
I flew an ASW-20 for a few years with a modified backrest comfortably.
ASW 27 is too tight, only just possible with a special cut out panel.
ASW24 can't even close the canopy

Ventus/Discus 2B is very comfortable. Lot's of leg room.

Currently I fly a DG808B. without backrest quite comfortably, but
little shoulder room.

Bottom line is that tall pilots have to compromise and will have to
suffer a bit more - and be prepared to modify and experiement until it
is just right.

Chris

[CD]

[ginopagino]

guys thank you all very much - super useful advice!!

[2cernauta2]

On 28 Aug 2006 02:48:31 -0700, "ginopagino" <dcai...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Hi,

>
>which european medium/high performance glider would you reccommend for
>tall people?

I believe nothing is roomier than a Ventus 2C or Discus 2C, for tall
pilots.
DGs only fit people with not very long legs (but a new, narrower
instrument panel is available for them).
At 187 cm, I am very comfortable in a DG600

bye

Aldo

[asw22...@gmail.com]

ASW22 has a long cockpit not that wide but its one of the longest ones
I have come across.

There is a great one for sale on the second page to the wings and
wheels want ads.

Regards

Al

[Mattia Filiaci]

Hi
I am a 6'6" (197cm) pilot and just tried to fit in a DG800A and I did not fit at all (seat all the way back and pedals full forward of course). I am surprised at 2.01 you were able to fit in the DG800. Also my feet barely fit under the canopy with sneakers on. Seemed much smaller than my VentusB in shoulder width also.

[Rob]

Mattia, I'm 6'7" and 240 lbs. I fly a Genesis 2. It is by far the most comfortable glider cockpit I've ever sat it and I tried almost all of them on that list. I fit in a Discus 2cT, but it would possibly require some slight mods. Genesis 2... no problems whatsoever.

I tried a JS-3 yesterday - nope. I'm told JS-2 should be no problems as it's built to accommodate people up to 6'8" and 256 lbs, but after trying so many, I'm in a wait-and-see mode. I'm keeping an eye out for something better, but when it comes to fit for a tall pilot, you can't beat a G2.

Finally, if anyone in Europe that's affiliated or working for any of these manufacturers is reading this, I'm gonna go on a little rant:

Why is every glider you build set up to accommodate every last one of the seven dwarfs, but tall people get absolutely no love? Germans, Slovenians, Lithuanians are tall people. You're shaming your ancestors by limiting building gliders for people who need half dozen cushions just to see the tow plane on the ground, and yet a moderately tall person (6'7" or 2.01m) can't fit to save their life - be it legroom wise or closing the canopy. :)

OK, rant over, but I'd love to see something with a FES or self-launch that can fit a 6'7" pilot without requiring playing with sawzall.

Rob
RS

[RR]

Snip ...

> OK, rant over, but I'd love to see something with a FES or self-launch that can fit a 6'7" pilot without requiring playing with sawzall.

Try a ASH-31 / 26. You will need to remove the seat back, but that is easy. I am 6' 3" and needed to put 1" of hard foam behind me and I could still put the peddles too far forward. But tall comes in flavors. Mine is in my torso more then legs so you will have to try...

[Rob]

I tried ASH-31. No dice. Couldn't quite close the canopy. It'd require playing with a Sawzall.

RS

[AS]

Buy an ASG32 and follow Hightower's lead:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjNpA-fy1r0

Uli
AS

[stephen.s...@gmail.com]

Rob, I feel your pain but you won’t get much sympathy here when you describe 6’7” as moderately tall. I’m 6’4” (long in the torso) and don’t really fit properly in any gliders. Head room is always the issue. I can’t wear a parachute and my seating position is always compromised by having to slide forward and lean back. Once I lost my cycling water bottle on a flight. When I landed, I found it in the gap between the seat and my lower back and I hadn’t felt it at all during the flight! That can’t be safe.

I’ve searched the many discussions on RAS where the tall boy problem is discussed. Recommendations of this glider or another are thrown around and I have sat in many of them. The problem is always the same - can’t close canopy at all or head hitting canopy. I may have to go vintage sport canopy style and just wear baggy t-shirts for a parachute!

Studies show that tall men are perceived as leaders, make more money and attract more women, but I’m sure you and me both would give it all up to be comfortable in a glider!

[John Sinclair]

Stephen, have you tried on a Genesis-2? I put a 6’ 4” guy in my G-2 after removing the seat back and sliding the rudder pedals all the way forward. He fit comfortably! And, there is a Ballistic parachute available. I’ve got to say flying with just a seat belt and shoulder harness provides the most comfortable ride I have encountered.
JJ

[Mark Mocho]

Several years ago, German pilot Holger Weitzel visited Moriarty with an ASH-26E and made some amazing flights. Holger appears to be about seven feet tall. I didn't ask him if he was comfortable or not, but I didn't notice any parts of him sticking out the vents.

[krasw]

On Thursday, 14 April 2022 at 17:19:31 UTC+3, Mark Mocho wrote:
> Several years ago, German pilot Holger Weitzel visited Moriarty with an ASH-26E and made some amazing flights. Holger appears to be about seven feet tall. I didn't ask him if he was comfortable or not, but I didn't notice any parts of him sticking out the vents.

Few years ago I met him and he told my he traded his 26 to an ASH 31Mi. Holger has modified his instrument panel a bit, maybe bigger leg openings. And he has parachute on hat shelf. Obviously no seat back. Holger is the nicest guy you can imagine btw.

[stephen.s...@gmail.com]

JJ, I haven’t had the opportunity to sit in a Genesis yet. I’d like to try on on sometime but they are rare. … I would have though just wearing a seatbelt and shoulder harness would leave you a little exposed, not to mention the chaffing!

[John Sinclair]

On Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 11:33:02 AM UTC-7, stephen.s...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 10:09:39 AM UTC-4, johnsin...@yahoo.com wrote:
> > On Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 4:54:38 AM UTC-7, stephen.s...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > On Monday, April 11, 2022 at 8:24:32 AM UTC-4, AS wrote:
> > > > On Monday, April 11, 2022 at 7:24:43 AM UTC-4, Rob wrote:
> > > > > I tried ASH-31. No dice. Couldn't quite close the canopy. It'd require playing with a Sawzall.
> > > > >
> > > > > RS
> > > > > On Monday, April 11, 2022 at 6:13:16 AM UTC-5, RR wrote:
> > > > > > Snip ...

> JJ, I haven’t had the opportunity to sit in a Genesis yet. I’d like to try on on sometime but they are rare. … I would have though just wearing a seatbelt and shoulder harness would leave you a little exposed, not to mention the chaffing!

Exposed? Your exposed to a comfortable ride without a parachute hanging on your shoulders! The BRS brings the whole ship down with you sitting in the cockpit! The limits on the unit I used are 1050 # total weight when deployed and no more than 130 knots airspeed. That allows you about 20 gallons of water ballast, other BRS units allow more water.
JJ

[stephen.s...@gmail.com]

You missed the joke, JJ. I was suggesting you flew naked!

[David Wrinkle]

On Monday, August 28, 2006 at 5:48:31 AM UTC-4, ginopagino wrote:
> Hi,
> which european medium/high performance glider would you reccommend for
> tall people?
> I am ~6.5 / 199cm and looking to buy something like a Discus but
> apparently cockpit is supersmall

> Any suggestions?
> Many Tks
> Caiuz

I'm 185cm (6'1") and am flying a glasglugel Hornet with the pedals back a couple of notches. I would think 199cm should be tolerable. This all started by sitting in other club members gliders until I found an airframe that suited me. Thankfully, I had a chance to sit in someone's 304. :) In full disclosure, I never felt tight with my height having made it through the ASW-15, 19, 20 along with one or two others but my width was always a show stopper. Good luck!!!

D