Too fat to fly - Page 2

DaleB · #11 01-11-2013, 09:19 AM

At 5-11 and 275, my friend's RV-7 had no trouble hauling my butt (and his, he's not tiny) around with alacrity. That said, I'm not especially "round" either. Getting in and out was not difficult -- if it had been, I wouldn't be building a 7A now. I don't know that I'd want to cram someone much larger than myself into the cockpit though.

I have a few XL and XXL family members. A couple are over 3 bills, and I've had to just tell them I can't take them up unless I rent a bigger airplane. A Cherokee or 172 isn't going to cut it, and an RV would be a tight squeeze. I just tell 'em that with my bulk and theirs combined, it's not going to be possible until one of us drops some weight. I'm on a campaign to drop a significant amount of weight as I build. I'm going to let people know ahead of time what my max passenger weight is, and if they can get below that - great, let's go flying. Otherwise one of us has to stay behind, and I'm the only one who can fly the thing.

WAM120RV · #12 01-11-2013, 09:43 AM

Guys,

Check out the Ideal weight charts here on the net, it will frighten you!

Like alot of people I was in denial about my weight, the heaviest I got to was 175lbs, mostly because of eating the wrong things at the wrong time of the day when in the Police ( not donuts british Police don't do donuts) I was shocked when at a scuba diving medical the Doctor said I was borderline obese.

Still, I denial I told myself I was big build, I was muscular and would not face the facts!

Since I have retired I decided I was going to turn my 4 pack into that six pack I had never had. I has been hard work..... but for you guys trying the key is calorie control and moderate exercise to firm the muscles and keep the heart healthy.

I got down to my ideal weight 150 lbs a month ago...... since then with Christmas over eating I have put on 6lbs, but that will go in the next few months.

So, if I can do it..........

Ohhh and I am stronger now than I was with the extra weight, and have good definition....... the key is in dietry control!!

Good luck to all of you trying to loose the excess weight!!

kentb · #13 01-11-2013, 10:36 AM

I took a rather large friend flying once. I am sure the he weighed over 300 lbs and I am not that small at around 240. I didn't think much about the extra weight as it was a short local flight and I didn't have any baggage and fuel was about half tanks.
As I expected the takeoff took a little longer, but what surprised me was how sluggish the controls seam while flying around. While landing I kept an extra 10 kts on the ASI, just to make sure I had good control for the flare.

Kent

fl-mike · #14 01-11-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brantel

I did my transition training with Jan Bussell in Florida in his RV6. Jan is no small person (6'2" and ~275) and he and I were able to fit safely in his aircraft.

Jan has lost a little bit of weight, but he is still 6'2"!

Be sure to add 10-20 pounds to whatever weight the ladies tell you...if you can even get an answer. If I get an "ummm", I usually say 250 is the limit for the plane and watch their reaction. A couple are going to get back to me...

I've had to remove the seatback cushion a couple times to get the seatbelt around a passenger. I have a slab of foam camping pad for those situations.

I was having dinner with the president of a corporate jet company a while back (how I ended up at that table I have no idea). We were discussing the weight reduction efforts on the new design. I said "just put a sign over the entry door saying "no fat chicks allowed", that would save the engineers a lot of grief". I probably should have asked to see pictures of their wives first...
We still got the contract.

Wayne Gillispie · #15 01-11-2013, 01:05 PM

It would not add anymore than most already spend on upgrades. Ensure the steps are beefed up. Mine could handle 360 up front and 230 in the rear plus baggage.

The problem in the -10 is that stick throw is limited in roll unless your skinny. One can leave the passenger seat slid back to provide more leg room.

Doug · #16 01-11-2013, 02:08 PM

I find the issue with outsized passengers is getting them out, especially with older folk their knees and hips are also problematic. Have a plan just in case. I usually tell them (a bit brutal I know) I will not be using a can opener.

Vans confirmed no seat limit in my RV-6.

Jimboscr · #17 01-11-2013, 07:26 PM

I am 5'7" and was 115kg (253lb) when my Doc gave me the hard word about my size and the prospect of Diabetes. So it was stop eating junk and get sorted! So a complete change was needed, no more refined sugar, if I wanted something sweet it had to be fruit, no more soft drinks, and don't eat late at night. coupled with some moderate walking I have managed to loose 35kg (77lb)

However the thing I really learnt is it is not just the change in habits, it is also the sheer will power to be totally persistent. Don't compromise and don't give up. Just the same qualities we need to finish a home built aircraft!

Jim

aparchment · #18 01-12-2013, 09:24 AM

Bob,

Maybe you could pull the reference to the guy on the EAA site. I thought it a bit offensive that you basically identified him as too fat to fly his plane. Your post really doesn't need that sentence to get the point across.

<edited post per Steve's suggestion to remove the name. The person is identified in the photo, but no need to name him here too.>

WAM120RV · #19 01-12-2013, 09:53 AM

Tony,

Maybe you want to reconsider your post. Until you named the guy in the photo he was just an unknown face to me and I guess many others.......now he has a name.

To be honest before you chimed in I had not even looked at the photo but did when you mentioned a name.

However, your right the point would have been made without the photo and the link.

dealfair · #20 01-12-2013, 11:50 AM

I have a fat friend who used to own a 150 hp RV-6. He was FAT (still is). He is no more than 5'11" tall & weighs well over 300 lbs. I needed a ride to pick up my -4. I weighed 220 & had to sit sideways to fit. We had full fuel & I think we were surely over gross. I took the ride because he was a very accomplished pilot. He spent the warm months flying the bush in Alaska & wintered in south Texas.

We flew off a grass strip & went about 60 miles. NO PROBLEMO!! Smooth as silk. The -6 & his skills made it a non event.

I've always thought highly of the -6 since then. I loved to watch him loop & roll it (me on the ground).

But, being grossly overweight takes its toll & he no longer flies. The excess weight compounds several medical issues.

...where was I going with this??

OH YES, you would be amazed at how much horseflesh you can pack into a side by side RV & it perform very well

Thinking about what I would have done had it been my -6 and he asked me for a ride ...I'm honestly ashamed to say I don't know. Knowing my -6 would be a big factor. It would be like hauling a walrus, with all due respects. Well, the big dude is a far more capable airman than me.

Tough question in this thread