Tall folk, small plane

Mike Mold · Post by **Mike Mold** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:37 pm

Maybe. Depends on your torso vs leg length. I'm 6ft and had to reduce my cushion depth to just 1" of confor foam (temperfoam) to avoid having to cant my head inwards. The seat back is quite upright i.e. there's little recline, so I also removed the back cushion and just use a small lumber support pad. Otherwise, it's comfortable for about 2 hrs max.! Don't get me wrong - I think my 112 is fantastic but I suggest you try one for size before committing yourself. Some 112s have wooden frames above the seat back whereas others have tubular MS. One mod I've seen is to increase the headroom by adding an insert of 1 or 2" to the tubular frame to raise the canopy. It means reglazing which is cheaper in flat-wrap plastic than with full blown curved doors.

J.C. · Post by **J.C.** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:21 pm

Bearing in mind the original(d9) jodel was open cockpit,is there any reason why the d11 series can't be flown open?

macconnacher · Post by **macconnacher** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:41 pm

The original D.11 was flown as an open cockpit aircraft.

Roger Partington · Post by **Roger Partington** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:15 am

I'm 6'6" so think yourself lucky !

If you see one for sale - probably in France, the Menestrel II has a decent sized cockpit and is a nice little touring plane.

mike newall · Post by **mike newall** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:27 pm

What you need is a Citabria

See the classified - She says I need something cheaper for domestic projects

Roger Partington · Post by **Roger Partington** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:06 pm

"Domestic projects" - sends shivers down your spine doesn't it ? My girlfriend loved it when I was building the plane because she always knew where I was (in the workshop) and it kept me out of the pub !

Kelvin Denize · Post by **Kelvin Denize** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:22 pm

Yeah, so when are we gunna get some decent size aircraft for those of us that are more normal.

I don't fit in any PFA aircraft that I ever seen!!

pillpoppinpilot · Post by **pillpoppinpilot** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:43 pm

I'm 5ft 10 and 3/4 and I have a Jodel D117 (bigger engined D112) and I just fit in.
Where are you, I'm in Northants, you're welcome to come over and try it for size?

ROB THOMASSON · Post by **ROB THOMASSON** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:35 am

I have the same problem but don't want to go touring. I'm more of a bimbler. Now how come I fit in my MW6 OK and a Morris Minor but can't get in group A or my mates Volvo?
Hm now can you fly a Tardis on a PPL?

Nick Allen · Post by **Nick Allen** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:01 am

Now how come I fit in ... a Morris Minor but can't get in .... my mates Volvo?

Because modern cars are increasingly bloated, ever-weightier objects with big thick doors, big fat seats and an incredibly poor ratio of usable interior space to external volume compared to older vehicles. Here endeth my off-thread whinge! Have you tried an Aeronca Champ/Chief or an Auster for size?[/quote]

Steve Brown · Post by **Steve Brown** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:14 am

Off topic a bit - sorry!!!

I have a classic mini - its a revelation - light , airy, seats 4 adults - fuel injected , distributor less ignition, weighs 700 kg - is only 3m long - the new Fiat 500 is 3.5m!! Ok the ride is a bit bumpy but the handling is like a go-kart.

The new mini is 1150 kg!!!!!! - yes that is 990 lbs extra weight - within 60 lbs of my aircraft's MTOW (1050 lbs) !!!!
It is very (shall we say politely) 'hippy' at the back , is 3.65m long and smaller inside - I felt like my ankles were in manacles with the front seat even at medium adjustment. On full rearmost adjustment, the front seat touches the rear seat!!!

Progress eh!!

Light Aircraft Association

Tall folk, small plane

Damn these things are small

Size