If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Too tall for a Pitts?
(I tried posting this last night via a different NNTP server, with
photos, but I never saw the posting show up anywhere, so I'll post again) I am looking at purchasing a homebuilt S1D but am concerned that I might be too tall. Headroom is probably OK, but I'm not sure about legroom. The second owner was 6'0", like me. He had the canopy raised so he could fit. My problem appears to be in the leg department though. I have an inch of headroom while sitting on the owner's Security parachute (which is about an inch thick where I sit on it, and also about an inch thick in back), but my legs feel cramped and that has me concerned. I feel like my legs would be more comfortable if they were more extended. My knees feel a bit closer to me than I _think_ will be best for precisely controling the rudder, and I don't want the rudder pedals to not have full precise control in a Pitts!). I'm told that Pitt's rudder pedals may be adjustable, but the only adjustment I could see was in a metal plate where the rudder cable attached to the rudder. That plate had several holes, but was already using the outermost holes, and thus no holes exist that would allow the rudder pedals to be adjusted forward anymore, at least not that I can see. My knees are right under the front face of the instrument panel. They have about an inch of clearance, which seems OK. The sides of my legs are more cramped. The right leg just barely fits in between the fuel tank and an old Terra 720 radio. I can move/replace the radio and should be fine. My left leg WOULD be next to the fuel tank, were it not for a fuel line going from the bottom of the tank to the wobble pump. That fuel line must be rerouted for me to fly, as it is hitting my left shinbone as it is installed currently. So, once the fuel line is rerouted, and the radio moved, I think the only real issue is that I might still feel like my feet are just too close to me to be able to control the rudder precisely. On the other hand, maybe I'm just worrying too much... Does anyone have any comments on their experiences as a tall pilot fitting into a Pitts? Or of feeling cramped or uncomfortable? I'd be very interested on any input from anyone that ever did feel like their rudder control was hampered by their long legs. I have some photos (of the cockpit and the fit of my legs) that I was going to attach to this posting, but Google doesn't seem to have an interface for attaching photos. I can try to attach photos again via Outlook Express tonight, from home, and maybe that will work. Thanks, -- Glenn Sisson |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Pitts Groundloop | Michael 182 | Piloting | 21 | August 26th 04 02:13 AM |
ELT antenna -- Pitts | Al MacDonald | Home Built | 0 | July 15th 04 03:27 PM |
Advice on flying Pitts with Haigh Locking Tailwheel | Ditch | Home Built | 19 | January 4th 04 10:18 PM |
Pitts Fly-In | aerogirl | Aerobatics | 0 | October 27th 03 11:45 PM |
Pitts, Acro Sport, other to buy? | Dave Swartz | Aerobatics | 0 | September 3rd 03 03:18 PM |