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-   -   XC question re tandem cockpits. (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=107452)

Robert Anglin 01-09-2014 04:59 PM

Wife!
 
I have a simple take on this one. If "She is not happy" you may not be.
It is well worth the time to take her to a show and let her set in both a "7" and in an"8". Setting in the back, letting him have full control is not for every wife. I can not think of the numbers anymore but Van said their question-airs shown most wives like to be if the front with the baggage were she can reach it, behind the seat. Keep her happy, you will be too!
Hope this helps yours as always R.E.A. III #80888

Tom Martin 01-10-2014 06:31 AM

I have been flying a tandem aircraft for almost 30 years. It is a pilots airplane. To me flying a side by side aircraft is like driving a motorcycle from the side car. My wife is a non pilot, and she humors me by flying with me in the rocket. We have been coast to coast, both of us in comfort. The reality is, for most of us, that our non pilot spouse, flies with us for just a few hours of the year, maybe 10% in my case. There is no way I would want to give up center line seating, right on the C of G, for 10% of my flying and nor would she want me to.
Having said all of that tough stuff; I have been very careful to NEVER let her ride in a side by side aircraft......

Toobuilder 01-10-2014 06:52 AM

I agree that keeping your spouse happy is the key, but some will actually prefer sitting in the back. Mine certainly does. We've had plenty of hours in side by sides from spam cans, RV's and of course the Hiperbipe. Once she had a ride in the RV-8, there was no doubt that out future airplanes would be tandems. She has little interest in what the displays show or what levers/knobs I'm manipulating to make us fly - to borrow a line from a movie we all know, she just wants me to "...do some of that pilot $h!t, Mav". When we win the lottery and buy a TBM850, I'm sure she'll sit in the back in that one too.


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