VAF Forums

VAF Forums (https://vansairforce.net/community/index.php)
-   RV General Discussion/News (https://vansairforce.net/community/forumdisplay.php?f=2)
-   -   Too tall for RV-7? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=99366)

KRviator 05-04-2013 03:35 PM

At 6'5 1/2" I'm building a -9A and fit beautifully. All I did to "modify" it from standard was to move the rudder bearing blocks upto the longeron gussets instead of being 1" behind them.

I'm using the standard Van's panel, throttle location and eyeball vents. The only thing non-standard is my -9A is it's being setup to fly PIC from the right seat

beav 05-04-2013 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRviator (Post 768136)
At 6'5 1/2" I'm building a -9A and fit beautifully. All I did to "modify" it from standard was to move the rudder bearing blocks upto the longeron gussets instead of being 1" behind them.

I'm using the standard Van's panel, throttle location and eyeball vents. The only thing non-standard is my -9A is it's being setup to fly PIC from the right seat

Have you ensured you can get full rudder deflection with the blocks that far forward?

videobobk 05-04-2013 04:52 PM

Even an already built 7 or 9 can be modified to fit with a little trouble. Pedal mounting position is primary for long legs. You should have no problem at 6' 1" as I fit fine in my 9A--6' 4" with 34" inseam, 210 lb. BTW, I am just the right height. Both feet just reach the ground...

Bob

lowandslo 05-04-2013 05:38 PM

I'm 6'2", 215 and my RV6 fits me fine. I can barely fit into a friend's -6A because the bottom of his instrument panel is lower and he has mounted extra stuff along the bottom of it that digs into my knees. So it depends on the layout and, as others have pointed out, the cushion thickness and pedal placement. CG

Neal@F14 05-04-2013 06:46 PM

Tandem RV-8
 
You might want to try out sitting in the front of an RV-8 someday.

Those adjustable front rudder pedals can be slid all the way forward to make a lot of legroom for tall pilots.

KRviator 05-05-2013 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beav (Post 768140)
Have you ensured you can get full rudder deflection with the blocks that far forward?

Nope. Will cross that bridge if/when it rears its ugly head! The Mothership reckons it'll be alright though.

uk_figs 05-05-2013 07:21 AM

6' 3" and fit fine in my -7
 
I am 6' 3" long legs and 215lbs and fit fine in my -7, I also have the 2" extended panel as mentioned previously. There are some choices that you make when building to accommodate tall pilots, in my case the rudder pedals are mounted in the most forward location without impacting full pedal deflection. the seat back also has a hinged tab that fits into the cockpit cross member, in my case I cut this down to put the top of the seat as far back as it would go, also the seat back can go in three different positions, the rearmost position gives more leg room but a more upright sitting position.
The only issue I have is that on long trips there is nowhere in my plane to rest my right knee except on the corner of the fuel select box which is not comfortable.
Best recommendation would be to sit in a -7 that is set up for someone your size to check for yourself.

Pmerems 05-05-2013 09:40 AM

6'1" and fit fine
 
I have a 7A and fit fine. 6'1" with a 34" inseam, 185 lbs and have about 3" of seat cushion (temper foam). Rudder pedals are as forward as possible with full travel with max forward brake pedal displacement. I did raise the mounting blocks up 3/4" to get the rudder bar higher due to my size 12 feet. I also have carpet and with sound deadening foam under it which raises the floor about 3/4". I replaced the rudder cable mounting tabs on the rudder pedal weldment so that the rudder cable is in the same relative position to prevent misalignment with the rudder cable holes in the fuselage frames.

Works great. I also use Clarity Aloft headsets to give even greater head to canopy clearance in the event of severe turbulence.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:01 AM.