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Glider for large pilots

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CAlexMill

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Nov 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/10/98
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I am looking for a glider that will work well for a "large" pilot. I am 6 feet
2 inches tall (188cm), and weigh about 225lbs (102 kg). I have a large frame
(wide shoulders, long legs).

Any recommendations for glider types/models to begin looking for.

Thanks.

********************************
Alex Miller
cale...@aol.com

MikeYankee

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Nov 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/10/98
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Depends on what kind of performance you're looking for. The Standard Cirrus is
still a great sailplane with a large cockpit, though it is not competitive any
longer.

CAlexMill

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Nov 10, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/10/98
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>From: mikey...@aol.com (MikeYankee)
>Date: Tue, Nov 10, 1998 17:05 EST
>Message-id: <19981110170546...@ng93.aol.com>

>
>Depends on what kind of performance you're looking for.

That's a good point. Performance to me is not critical, but I would like to be
able to do some aerobatics in it! :-)

Is there a place on the web that lists ships and their specs?

********************************
Alex Miller
cale...@aol.com

F.L. Whiteley

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Nov 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/11/98
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http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/1850/

CAlexMill <cale...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19981110172221...@ng85.aol.com>...

LS484

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Nov 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/11/98
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Try on an open Cirrus or an LS-4. I'm 6' 1" and 215LB. Both ships are
comfortable to me.

Nicky Oberhofer

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Nov 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/11/98
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Try a Ventus B has a big cockpit, and also a standard cirrus is very long but a bit
narrower than the the Ventus B
nicky.vcf

Martin

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Nov 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/11/98
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You want a LS-4. Very comfortable.

CAlexMill wrote in message <19981110172221...@ng85.aol.com>...

Don Golden

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Nov 11, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/11/98
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I, too, am 6'2" and 225. I fly a Jantar Standard II (SZD-48). It can
accommodate an even taller pilot; I have two more rearward notches of
adjustment on the seat back.

Andreas Maurer

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Nov 12, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/12/98
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On 10 Nov 1998 22:22:21 GMT, cale...@aol.com (CAlexMill) wrote:

>>From: mikey...@aol.com (MikeYankee)
>>Date: Tue, Nov 10, 1998 17:05 EST
>>Message-id: <19981110170546...@ng93.aol.com>
>>
>>Depends on what kind of performance you're looking for.
>
>That's a good point. Performance to me is not critical, but I would like to be
>able to do some aerobatics in it! :-)

You might want to buy a Frank&Waldenberger built Salto if you want to
do aerobatics as well as XC. I measure 6'7" and fit perfectly....
I think that one is still for sale.


Bye
Andreas

Tom Seim

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Nov 12, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/12/98
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I flew an ASW-19 w/o the seatback (but with a jacket behind my parachute)
for 1500 hrs quite comfortably (I am 6'2%2522 and 220lbs). It has an
especially wide cockpit, like the LS3/4. I now fly a DG-400 (same as the DG-
200). It is more comfortable than the ASW-19 except that the cockpit is a
little more narrow.
Tom Seim

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Inoj

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Nov 13, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/13/98
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the 1-35 is very adjustable for a tall person, all metal ship - BUT for a
petite 5'2" gal, take it from me...I DON'T reach the rudders even when pulled
all the way forward and using oodles of pillows...so maybe this would be a nice
ship for you. (they seem to build ships for tall people..more than short
ones...you shouldn't have any problem)

Dick Middleton

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Nov 14, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/14/98
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CAlexMill wrote:
>
> I am looking for a glider that will work well for a "large" pilot. I am 6 feet
> 2 inches tall (188cm), and weigh about 225lbs (102 kg). I have a large frame
> (wide shoulders, long legs).

My experience is that it is not height per se which is the limiting
factor for tall people. I too am 6' 2" but I do not fit comfortably in
most gliders. For example I do not fit at all into a Discus and most 2
seaters are impossible to sit in properly. However other people as tall
as I am fit OK. This is because I have a relatively long back whereas
others are proportioned differently. Fortunately I fit just fine into a
DG. The only way you can tell is to try for yourself. Create a list of
suitable candidates and seek 'em out!

Now, be warned. Your weight is more of a problem. Most gliders have a
max pilot weight of 110Kg. That includes clothes, parachute and all the
gubbins in the cockpit.

Dick

--

di...@cheerful.com

D. Haluza

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Nov 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM11/15/98
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Dick Middleton wrote: Now, be warned. Your weight is more of a problem. Most
gliders have a

> max pilot weight of 110Kg. That includes clothes, parachute and all the
> gubbins in the cockpit.

Actually the max seat weight of 110kg only applies to the load in the seat and
harness. That includes clothes, parachute and pocket change, but not the gubbins in
the cockpit side pockets. All that other stuff does count for the weight and balance,
though.


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