Good sailplanes for tall pilots?

While it may be splitting hairs, some sailplanes have a required equipment statement which stipulates either a parachute or a cushion of a specified thickness. Standard cirrus for instance has this requirement.

Just sayin'
Scott.

6'3", 185 lbs.

There are several threads on RAS that discussed this in some detail in the past. A few points:

1. Height matters but torso height can matter just as much. That makes stories of someone else of X height fitting into Y glider not irrelevant, but just not very definitive. The only way to find out is to try out the specific cockpit yourself.
2. Gliders of the same make and model aren't always the same. My ASW 24, for example, has at least four different cockpit arrangements. The early serial numbers (up to about 32 or 36, IIRC) are tighter. Later ASW 24s benefited from the gear being mounted differently, which opened up the cockpit. the 24B seemed to have even more room. And then there's mine, a 24 that was equipped at the factory for tall pilots, which meant it has an aftermarket instrument panel with higher knee cutouts, the rudder pedals moved forward a few cm, and no back rest, instead getting the left and right covers over the baggage areas that come with the 24E motorglider and cover the fuel tanks.. Fits me very well...with the right parachute.
3. Many gliders can be made to fit by removing the backrest (ASW 19/20, for example), putting in thinner cushions, etc. Some, like the LS-3 (which was very comfortable for me as is), have an adjustment not just for the upper backrest but also the lower mounting. Different combinations of upper and lower settings can yield significantly different fit and comfort. Again, the only way to find out is to try on the specific glider.
4. Speaking of parachutes, I appreciate not wanting to wear one. They can be uncomfortable just as some cockpits are. Mine is quite comfortable. It's also one of the few that will allow me to get into the glider: thin behind the shoulders and thick in the lumbar area. Most are the opposite or evenly thick. I don't wear one because of aerobatics. They're mandatory for contests, which is most of my flying these days. But as important, once you start spending time in crowded thermals in very close proximity with other gliders even around your local airport, you'll begin to understand why most of us wear chutes even when not required. With midair collision being the thing I fear the most because it's not completely within my control, knowing I have a chute strapped to my back is somewhat reassuring.
5. My focus has always been on cockpit length. Broader shoulders and torso can present their own challenges. The only way to find out for sure....

Chip Bearden

On Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 7:47:30 PM UTC-7, wrote:
6'3", 185 lbs.

There are several threads on RAS that discussed this in some detail in the past. A few points:

1. Height matters but torso height can matter just as much. That makes stories of someone else of X height fitting into Y glider not irrelevant, but just not very definitive. The only way to find out is to try out the specific cockpit yourself.
2. Gliders of the same make and model aren't always the same. My ASW 24, for example, has at least four different cockpit arrangements. The early serial numbers (up to about 32 or 36, IIRC) are tighter. Later ASW 24s benefited from the gear being mounted differently, which opened up the cockpit. the 24B seemed to have even more room. And then there's mine, a 24 that was equipped at the factory for tall pilots, which meant it has an aftermarket instrument panel with higher knee cutouts, the rudder pedals moved forward a few cm, and no back rest, instead getting the left and right covers over the baggage areas that come with the 24E motorglider and cover the fuel tanks. Fits me very well...with the right parachute.
3. Many gliders can be made to fit by removing the backrest (ASW 19/20, for example), putting in thinner cushions, etc. Some, like the LS-3 (which was very comfortable for me as is), have an adjustment not just for the upper backrest but also the lower mounting. Different combinations of upper and lower settings can yield significantly different fit and comfort. Again, the only way to find out is to try on the specific glider.
4. Speaking of parachutes, I appreciate not wanting to wear one. They can be uncomfortable just as some cockpits are. Mine is quite comfortable. It's also one of the few that will allow me to get into the glider: thin behind the shoulders and thick in the lumbar area. Most are the opposite or evenly thick. I don't wear one because of aerobatics. They're mandatory for contests, which is most of my flying these days. But as important, once you start spending time in crowded thermals in very close proximity with other gliders even around your local airport, you'll begin to understand why most of us wear chutes even when not required. With midair collision being the thing I fear the most because it's not completely within my control, knowing I have a chute strapped to my back is somewhat reassuring.
5. My focus has always been on cockpit length. Broader shoulders and torso can present their own challenges. The only way to find out for sure....

Chip Bearden

I have spent a lot of money on a parachute that I never expect to use for the reasons you mention. The reality, however, is that a small number of glider pilot lives have been saved by the use of their parachutes. I acknowledge that even the remote possibility of my life being saved by a chute is worth the cost (certainly in my wife's mind!). The chute is clearly a matter of last resort, after all other efforts have failed. I believe that concentrating on those other interventions is at least as important. That said, I had the closest near miss ever this summer: I missed a head-on glider (closing speed of around 260 kt TAS) with a 15 ft wing tip to wing tip clearance!

Tom

I'm not sure about the two seater Nimbus 3 & 4 gliders but the Nimbus 2 cockpit is VERY long.
I'm 6'3" 200lbs, long in the legs and even with a parachute on and my legs stretched out straight I still have to bring the rudder pedals closer. I can barely fit into a G103 with a knee wrapped around the air brake lever.
You should be able to pick up a Nimbus 2B/C (conventional elevator) in reasonable condition for $20,000 or less or a Nimbus 2 (all flying tail) possibly for $15000. I paid about $9000 for a Nimbus 2 and another $3000 to refinish the wings so $13000 isn't bad for a good condition 47:1 glider IMO.
They're not everyone's cup of tea with regards to handling but maybe it's an option.
IMO buying a two seater is only really worth it if you regularly fly with someone else. I'd rather hire a two seater when I need one.

In the single place arena you might want to consider the Centrair Pegasus. Under $30K and good performance. You'd have to check on individual ship's cockpit loads but you should be fine.

On Fri, 09 Sep 2016 09:03:56 -0700, mdfadden wrote:

In the single place arena you might want to consider the Centrair
Pegasus. Under $30K and good performance. You'd have to check on
individual ship's cockpit loads but you should be fine.

The Pegase, ASW-19 and ASW-20 all have essentially the same fuselage:
Centrair made ASW-20s under license before rolling out the Pegase.

If you're comfortable in any one of these, you'll also be comfortable in
the other two. Proof of sorts: I flew my club's Peg 90 a lot after
converting from their SZD Juniors and have also owned an ASW-20. I found
both to be equally comfortable.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

UPDATE:

I went out to the soaring club this weekend and tried on a few gliders.

1. The LS-1f is totally out. We tried every possible contortion and adjustment. If I slide down low enough to close the canopy, my knees are buried in the back of the instrument panel, lifting it out of position. I'm not keen on the possibility of accidentally disconnecting pitot-static lines, either.

Also, Disci and DG1000s and the ilk are pretty much out of the question. I'd go in on a share of one, but outright ownership is not in my budget.

And I'm not looking for acro in a 2-seater. Totally different pathways I'm willing to go down, so don't transpose my 2-seat requirements to a 1-seater and vice versa.

On Monday, September 12, 2016 at 3:23:47 AM UTC-4, wrote:
UPDATE:

I went out to the soaring club this weekend and tried on a few gliders.

1. The LS-1f is totally out. We tried every possible contortion and adjustment. If I slide down low enough to close the canopy, my knees are buried in the back of the instrument panel, lifting it out of position. I'm not keen on the possibility of accidentally disconnecting pitot-static lines, either.

2. The club has a G103 Twin II, which I can fit in.

3. The club also has a G102 Std III, which was tight but acceptable.

4. The club has an SGS 2-33, which I didn't bother sitting in because it's pretty obvious I will fit. And I'm not particularly keen on flying it much.

5. A club member has an SGS 1-26, which was very roomy and might be something I'd consider buying in order to get a lot of cheap flying under my belt before moving up to slicker ships. How does a Ka-6 compare to the fit of the 1-26? They seem very similar from the outside.

I think my biggest problem with fitting in slick single-seaters is going to be my long neck preventing canopy closure. That seemed to be the theme of the day, finding ways to lie as supine as possible to get the canopy closed.

As for chutes, since I don't intend to fly in competitions and the Grob hasn't had the AD mod to be flown acro, I feel no urgent need to get one.

A few of you mentioned the Lark; I thought they were all getting scrapped because of the life limit issue. Has anything improved on that front? A Lark might be a cheap thing to get and make available to the club.

Funny thing, the guys in the club who were helping me try on gliders started licking their chops at the idea that I might not fit in everything and thus would be flying tows most of the time! I guess there aren't a lot of guys willing to do that; but I don't mind.

FYI, I am in FL, not NY.

You might also look at the 1-34 if metal doesn't turn you off.
UH

On Monday, September 12, 2016 at 2:23:47 AM UTC-5, wrote:
canopy closed.

As for chutes, since I don't intend to fly in competitions and the Grob hasn't had the AD mod to be flown acro, I feel no urgent need to get one.

OT: That's like saying you don't wear seatbelts in your car because you don't intend to have an accident.

Funny how some countries mandate chute wear in gliders. Wonder what they know that we don't...

But I'm being a hypocrite - when I fly club ships I only wear a chute when doing acro. Since I usually only fly the club ships to give rides and the club doesn't have a chute for the passenger, I don't wear mine. But in my glider? Every time; even for a pattern tow.

BOT: You might try an LS3/4/8/6. Lots of rudder pedal adjustment. Ventus Bs also have long cockpits - and the Cirrus is the same shape, I believe?

Good luck with your search!

Kirk
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