Good sailplanes for tall pilots?

You should consider the LS4/6/8.
Large pilots usually completely remove the adjustable seat back. The rear cockpit bulkhead is flat and sloped just like a seatback. The LS series is designed to fly with a parachute.

On Monday, September 12, 2016 at 10:04:37 AM UTC-4, wrote:
You should consider the LS4/6/8.
Large pilots usually completely remove the adjustable seat back. The rear cockpit bulkhead is flat and sloped just like a seatback. The LS series is designed to fly with a parachute.

In the lower price range, the Standard Jantar usually has PU paint and has a very lengthy cockpit - second biggest cockpit (after the Genesis) I've seen. Long arms would be a bonus - instrument pod is well forward. Usually one on Wings and Wheels.

The HpH304 Shark is also very big, but way out of your stated price range.

Ka6 - I'm 5'10" and found the Ka-6e to be snug for my height - had a 1/3 share for a year. 1-26's were bigger inside (though not particularly comfortable after an hour or two).

A Genesis 2 would be a good choice. Single seater though.holds a 155-242 lb. Pilot and is very roomy..

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.

Not all Larks are subject to the life limit: there's on on W&W that is not and I flew it on Saturday, I kind of wish the club wasn't selling it!

MB

On Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 7:19:05 PM UTC-4, wrote:
I am 6'4" tall. I weigh about 200-210lbs clothed. My height is fairly evenly distributed between legs and torso. My arms are rather long, though.
Please help me start developing a shopping list for a decent glider that I can enjoy owning and flying without cramps or impeded control movements. This would be my first foray into ownership, but I expect to own multiple in the future.

Factors to consider:
1. Prefer 2-place to single-seat, but I'm open to both.
2. If 2-place, must be FAA type-certified with standard airworthiness certificate. No experimentals. I want to be able to give commercial rides, instruction, and CAP cadet o-rides. Solo ships can be experimental, but not amateur-built.
3. Will consider self-launchers, sustainers, and motorgliders, but not looking to get into that price range.
4. Will consider antiques & open cockpits, if they have a provenance.
5. Not concerned with competition.
6. Acro would be a plus.
7. Will consider something life-limited (e.g., Lark) if I can get it super-cheap to use as a disposable platform for a couple hundred hours to better identify what I really want from a glider.
8. Priced under $30k, $10-15k is better.

My experience:
Highly active airplane pilot, IFR, 1000+ hours. Low-time glider pilot (100 hrs).

Here's what I have flown:
L-23: Fits okay, not very charming to own.
ASK-21: Tight, but doable
G103: Tighter than the ASK-21, prefer to avoid
Bergfalke: Antique wooden open-cockpit novelty; not a candidate.

I'll be trying out a SGS 1-23 and an LS-1f this weekend. There are several KA-6 models for sale all over right now (did they just get hit with an AD or something?), so some targeted opinions on these 3 would be timely.

Cheers

Hi,

I have a Jantar Std 2 that has a very long cockpit. It has 6 adjustment points for the seat back and I fly on number 4 and I am 6 ft and weigh 215 lbs. I am sure you can easily fit.

The glider is available for sale and you can see some pictures he https://goo.gl/photos/UEKBzcrxa9PZNGQs7

Here is a link to my olc flights: http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0...t=olc&pi=56048

and a video of a flight a while ago: https://youtu.be/MPw29q5XuKE

Thanks,

Marcin

On Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 11:19:05 AM UTC+12, wrote:
I am 6'4" tall. I weigh about 200-210lbs clothed. My height is fairly evenly distributed between legs and torso. My arms are rather long, though.
Please help me start developing a shopping list for a decent glider that I can enjoy owning and flying without cramps or impeded control movements. This would be my first foray into ownership, but I expect to own multiple in the future.

Factors to consider:
1. Prefer 2-place to single-seat, but I'm open to both.
2. If 2-place, must be FAA type-certified with standard airworthiness certificate. No experimentals. I want to be able to give commercial rides, instruction, and CAP cadet o-rides. Solo ships can be experimental, but not amateur-built.
3. Will consider self-launchers, sustainers, and motorgliders, but not looking to get into that price range.
4. Will consider antiques & open cockpits, if they have a provenance.
5. Not concerned with competition.
6. Acro would be a plus.
7. Will consider something life-limited (e.g., Lark) if I can get it super-cheap to use as a disposable platform for a couple hundred hours to better identify what I really want from a glider.
8. Priced under $30k, $10-15k is better.

My experience:
Highly active airplane pilot, IFR, 1000+ hours. Low-time glider pilot (100 hrs).

Here's what I have flown:
L-23: Fits okay, not very charming to own.
ASK-21: Tight, but doable
G103: Tighter than the ASK-21, prefer to avoid
Bergfalke: Antique wooden open-cockpit novelty; not a candidate.

I'll be trying out a SGS 1-23 and an LS-1f this weekend. There are several KA-6 models for sale all over right now (did they just get hit with an AD or something?), so some targeted opinions on these 3 would be timely.

Cheers

I'm a lanky 6'4" and fit with an old thick parachute nicely into a Glasflugel Mosquito...

On Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 7:19:05 PM UTC-4, wrote:
I am 6'4" tall. I weigh about 200-210lbs clothed. My height is fairly evenly distributed between legs and torso. My arms are rather long, though.
Please help me start developing a shopping list for a decent glider that I can enjoy owning and flying without cramps or impeded control movements. This would be my first foray into ownership, but I expect to own multiple in the future.

Factors to consider:
1. Prefer 2-place to single-seat, but I'm open to both.
2. If 2-place, must be FAA type-certified with standard airworthiness certificate. No experimentals. I want to be able to give commercial rides, instruction, and CAP cadet o-rides. Solo ships can be experimental, but not amateur-built.
3. Will consider self-launchers, sustainers, and motorgliders, but not looking to get into that price range.
4. Will consider antiques & open cockpits, if they have a provenance.
5. Not concerned with competition.
6. Acro would be a plus.
7. Will consider something life-limited (e.g., Lark) if I can get it super-cheap to use as a disposable platform for a couple hundred hours to better identify what I really want from a glider.
8. Priced under $30k, $10-15k is better.

My experience:
Highly active airplane pilot, IFR, 1000+ hours. Low-time glider pilot (100 hrs).

Here's what I have flown:
L-23: Fits okay, not very charming to own.
ASK-21: Tight, but doable
G103: Tighter than the ASK-21, prefer to avoid
Bergfalke: Antique wooden open-cockpit novelty; not a candidate.

I'll be trying out a SGS 1-23 and an LS-1f this weekend. There are several KA-6 models for sale all over right now (did they just get hit with an AD or something?), so some targeted opinions on these 3 would be timely.

Cheers

Hello! We have two gentlemen on our club, one 6'6" (Bill)and one 6'7" (Chip). Bill is an ex-air force pilot who had a similar story. He gives rides in ONLY our G103, but bought an LS4, because it was the ONLY aircraft he felt most comfortable in. He removes the back seat pan, and wears a parachute, laying against the bulk head, but has had numerous 4+ hr flights. He is also a tow-pilot. Chip will ONLY fly our G103. I hope this helps?

-eagleyez

On Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 7:19:05 PM UTC-4, wrote:
I am 6'4" tall. I weigh about 200-210lbs clothed. My height is fairly evenly distributed between legs and torso. My arms are rather long, though.
Please help me start developing a shopping list for a decent glider that I can enjoy owning and flying without cramps or impeded control movements. This would be my first foray into ownership, but I expect to own multiple in the future.

Factors to consider:
1. Prefer 2-place to single-seat, but I'm open to both.
2. If 2-place, must be FAA type-certified with standard airworthiness certificate. No experimentals. I want to be able to give commercial rides, instruction, and CAP cadet o-rides. Solo ships can be experimental, but not amateur-built.
3. Will consider self-launchers, sustainers, and motorgliders, but not looking to get into that price range.
4. Will consider antiques & open cockpits, if they have a provenance.
5. Not concerned with competition.
6. Acro would be a plus.
7. Will consider something life-limited (e.g., Lark) if I can get it super-cheap to use as a disposable platform for a couple hundred hours to better identify what I really want from a glider.
8. Priced under $30k, $10-15k is better.

My experience:
Highly active airplane pilot, IFR, 1000+ hours. Low-time glider pilot (100 hrs).

Here's what I have flown:
L-23: Fits okay, not very charming to own.
ASK-21: Tight, but doable
G103: Tighter than the ASK-21, prefer to avoid
Bergfalke: Antique wooden open-cockpit novelty; not a candidate.

I'll be trying out a SGS 1-23 and an LS-1f this weekend. There are several KA-6 models for sale all over right now (did they just get hit with an AD or something?), so some targeted opinions on these 3 would be timely.

Cheers

We have two guys in our club, one is 6'6" (Bill) and the other 6'7" (Chip). Both guys will ONLY give rides in our G103. Bill is an Ex Air Force Col., who had a similar problem as you. He found an LS4 that was the "most" comfortable for him. He took the Seat Back out and flies with a parachute against the bulkhead and has had numerous 4+ hr flights. You also might consider an LS3a without a seat back, if you would like flaps? I hope this helps? Happy Searching!

-eagleyez