I have about 35 flights in a 1-34 and was surprised to see the book stating 270 lbs in the 1-34 and 245 in the retractable model, 1-34R. I have seen other 1-34's with a limitation of 218 lbs. I am 5'8" and 190 lbs and found the cockpit to be a bit of a tight fit for me. I have seen someone much larger than myself fly the same glider, a guy well over 220 lbs. I'm not sure that a 270 pounder would fit in the cockpit without vaseline and a shoe horn. That being said, the 1-34 is a fun airplane to fly and handles wonderfully.