Sailplanes for big guys...

Hello all. I live in Southern Ohio, and am very interested in soaring. I know there are a couple soaring clubs around, and I've written to one about this. Unfortunately, they couldn't help me. I'd like to get my sailplane ticket (I am already a PP-ASEL), but am a pretty big guy. I'm 6 foot 6 inches tall and weigh 300 lbs. I can squeeze into a Cessna 152 by myself, but it's tight. Are there any sailplanes out there that can accomodate somebody my size and not be either overloaded or out of the W&B envelope? How about height? I've tried to fly a Katana, but couldn't get the canopy closed over my head. Add in an instructor, and you can see my problems. Other than losing 50 lbs (possible, but even fairly 'skinny' I still weigh a good 250 lbs) anybody have any ideas?

Thanks,

2-32?

Vaughn

The good news: I'm developing your glider right now. The bad news: it won't be ready until mid 2004.

Bob K.

Try the Kestrel 19 or Glasflugel 604. Suggest you sit in them first and then find a way to get within the weight/CG limits

Hello Cap, Have a look for a club with the Grob Twin 3 and with a young lady instructor. Good luck George

Most European gliders that I know of, have a Seat Limit of 110Kg, or 242 pounds (US) like the Grob 103 Twin Astir II, I'm not sure about the III.

We had a rather large person in our club and could not accommodate him. In the Standard US trainer, the SGS 2-33, he was out of the forward CG limit and could not move his belly enough to get full aft stick. We thought of the SGS 2-32 with him in the AFT seat for CG and ballast in the front seat for solo work. We did not own a 2-32, he would have had to buy his own ($50K est) and then he still would have had 'fit' problems with moving the stick.

It's not the height in some cases, its the weight for CG and Max per seat. Most any single seat glider (after you complete training) of European design will most likely have the same 110Kg weight limit. Even though at 300# you may be under max CG (they are designed to carry water ballast), you may have to look at the forward CG range, but in any case you would be exceeding the max seat limit.

Short of designing your own... you may just be out of luck.

TIZ

Your size is probably no problem - I measure 6' 7' and fit into all German double seaters (ASK-21, DG-505, Duo Discus, ASK-13,...). Not always comfortably, but I do.

The problem is the weight - I doubt that there is a glider available that would still be within CG limit with you in the front seat, even if you went down to 250 lbs.

How about flying a Cessna 172 or similar where you are placed close the center of gravity? These planes also have the payload to carry you, an instructor, and some fuel.

Bye

was talking about me while saying:

We have a couple of guys like you at our club - they are well accommodated in our ASK-21 and Grob 103 - although they do need light instructors An alternative two seater is the IS-28 - I can't find the info at the moment but that big brute (all steel / aluminium) should accommodate you fine.

Good luck

Oh I have no problems in a 172. Even with a fairly large passenger in the right seat, I'm still in the envelope.Biggest problem with the 172 is the gross. I can usually only take one other big person, or 2 small ones. Looking at buying a Beech Musketeer, which has a real nig cabin, and a ueful load of 1000lbs. Even with a couple other people in there, and just fuel to the tabs, I'll be fine.

Would like to try soaring. Looks like an absolute blast. Guess I'll just have to forgo that for now tho.

Cheers,