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05-04-2013, 02:02 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 2
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Too tall for RV-7?
I have been lurking on the site for a few months. I have become interested in flying/owning a Van's RV. I thought I wanted to pursue the side by side models until today. A gracious gent in the hangar across from mine provided me with my first flight in an RV. I loved it! Great performance, incredible visibility (even climbing), wonderful control responses, awesome power! However, my 6'1" frame did not fit well. While we could close the slider canopy with a little effort to lean forward, my long legs had no where to go. With my feet on the rudder pedals my knees were contacting the panel bottom.
A few questions for you guys:
1) If I were to purchase a used RV, can they be easily modified to lower the seat and move it aft?
2) Which RV 2 place models are more friendly to us longer pilots? I understand the RV10 would be a great solution, but I would need partner/s to own one.
3) Are 6 foot plus RV pilots rare?
Thank you for your help. I await your encouraging replies.
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05-04-2013, 02:48 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Huskerland, USA
Posts: 5,862
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Most RV's can accommodate 6'3" pilots with no problems. My guess is the seat was not adjusted for you. I'm 6'1" also and fit in any RV including the -3.
__________________
RV-7 : In the hangar
RV-10 : In the hangar
RV-12 : Built and sold
RV-44 : 4 place helicopter on order.
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05-04-2013, 02:49 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Venice, Fl
Posts: 1,020
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David, First, a big welcome to VAF. You will find this site indispensable while building/owning an RV of any flavor.
Now for your question. I regularly take a tall passenger with me. I am guessing he is of the 6'2" variety and probably 220 lbs. He is a little gangly getting in and out but I have had taller co-pilots and know of others (RV-6/-7) who accommodate taller co-pilots.
The seats are adjustable up and down via cushion height. Additionally, the seat has ground adjustable forward and back positions and maybe your friends was forward.
The -7 is slightly more roomy than my -6. Very slightly.
If you are building, maybe an RV-14 is what you want to look at.
Best of luck and again, Welcome Aboard.
__________________
Gary Palinkas - Gman.... VAF #161
Venice, Fl
RV-6 "Sassy" Flying 400 hrs since Oct 2011
Lycoming 0-360 A1A, FP Sensenich Prop
SARL #19 .... Van's Calendar March 2015
Although exempt several ways, =VAF= Dues paid to support this awesome site/family
Last edited by GLPalinkas : 05-04-2013 at 02:51 PM.
Reason: added text
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05-04-2013, 02:55 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Edgewater, FL. KSFB
Posts: 1,118
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The problem may have been the plane you were in. I am 6'5" and I fit in a RV-7 or 9. Many builders add 2" to the panel for more panel space. Many also have a wedge under the seat cushion and the rudder pedals rearward. I have flown in a 7 that had the 2" extra panel and I could not get my shins under. With the stock panel and the rudder pedal set to the forward position there is plenty of leg room. With the wedge removed and the seat backs in the rear position I have no problems. You need to find a ride in a better suited RV. Don't give up yet.
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05-04-2013, 03:01 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 2,473
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I will echo what the others are saying. I'm 6'1 and have no problem at all in a stock RV6/7 other than if the builder added a bunch to the bottom of the panel. I do like the seat being all the way back, and the rudder pedals all the way forward, but for me there is room for me in all of the RV's when properly adjusted...except for the RV-1, that was a squeeze for me!
There are a lot of variations in where people put the seatbacks, the bottom cushions, the rudder pedals and the panel bottoms, so it's likely the one you were in was just setup for those with less vertical height!
Cheers,
Stein
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05-04-2013, 03:02 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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When you buy the seat cushions from Van?s the seat section comes in three pieces. The main seating section, a 1? filler, and the wedge.
When I had mine upholstered I had them done as three separate pieces. Some builders have them all stitched together as one THICK seat bottom.
Since I can remove the wedge (and never use the 1? filler unless my son is riding with us and then he gets both of them under his car seat.) I?ve had passengers up to 6? 4? in my plane and I have a recessed sub-panel for switches and breakers.
__________________
Bill R.
RV-9 (Yes, it's a dragon tail)
O-360 w/ dual P-mags
Build the plane you want, not the plane others want you to build!
SC86 - Easley, SC
www.repucci.com/bill/baf.html
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05-04-2013, 03:16 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 988
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Cushions, pedals, panel, seat position... oh my!
I'm nearly 6-5 with a 34 inseam... fit great but it has to be properly set up for it...
__________________
Stephen
RV7 powered by a lycoming thunderbolt IO-390
turning a whirlwind HRT prop
with more hours flying than building... 2,430 on the hobbs!
ORCA Flight
Race 771
margarita!
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05-04-2013, 03:19 PM
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Bowling Green, KY
Posts: 294
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Big Enough
I am 6'4" and 235 lbs. I fit in my RV-9A with the seat in the rear position and the pedals in the front most position. I did recently install the AntiSplat cockpit crossbar, which allows the seatback to recline about 4". I am very comfortable now. I might convert to electric trim to eliminate the knob on the floor that takes up space.
As you can see, there are several ways to make more room. It sounds like you were in a plane set up for a smaller person.
__________________
Doug Rohrer
Bowling Green, KY
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05-04-2013, 03:27 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 2
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Thanks guys! I will keep searching. The throttle controls were in the way of my left knee and the intercom plug panel was below the panel too. The plane was fabulous, just not set up for the more vertically inclined. I think I have seen photos of some with the throttle, prop, and mixture in a vertical orientation that should allow more knee space.
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05-04-2013, 03:32 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Burleson, TX
Posts: 270
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Check out the -14. Basically a 2 place -10. Much more room than the -7
__________________
K.C.
RV-14A #140026
Wings 70%. Emp 70%
Happy to be a 2020 =VAF= contributor
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