That Calif glider seems massive. I'm curious about the head clearance with the canopy closed though. Quite aesthetically pleasing.

To everyone,
I'd like to thank you all one more time. There's a great amount of information in this thread for all the 3X sized people interested in taking up soaring.

Honest to god I couldn't care less about the seat restriction if it was my bird.
The reality of it as of now is that the vast majority of operators wouldn't dare to risk such a liability, at least in the US, and that is completely understandable.

Still, I did find people greatly interested in getting me up in the air, and that I could do, on the 2-33 atleast, however, I'd still be left hanging because we wouldn't be able to find a DPE light enough for the checkride. For that to happen, I'd have to drop to 260lb.

In conclusion, I'd have to drop 30 pounds, get the rating, and I'd still be limited to flying the 2-33, unless I bought my own bird, which is not likely to happen with my limited budget.

I'm certain that I'll revisit this topic again later on, but for now, the practicality of it is slim.

I'm currently looking into shared ownership of a barebone citabria/decathlon or alike (no electrical, hand prop) as suggested earlier in this thread. I'd be able to have fun doing gentleman's aerobatics for the purposes of gaining stick/rudder and tailwheel proficiency as well as build the time for the CSEL.

You all have a great week !