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06-02-2015, 02:00 PM
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 9
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Height issues with an RV?
I recently acquired my Private Pilot license, and am looking into building my first airplane, and the Vans RV definitely stuck out to me, compared to all the other light sport and experimental aircraft out there.
My question is this...
I'm 6'4" tall and have pretty wide shoulders. The two models I've been looking at are the RV-7 and RV-8. Is one of them better than the other for tall people?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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06-02-2015, 02:51 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 330
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WELCOME DirtyBird
Welcome to VAF! You have come to the right place! I am also 6?4? and I would say my shoulders are on the medium-wide side. Depending on how you are specifically apportioned, it will make a lot of difference. I buy my jeans with a 36? inseam, so depending on your leg length versus torso length, it will make a difference. I have been up in an RV-7A one time ? so I am by no means and expert? I loved the airplane, but for ME, it was too tight in the shoulders. I sat with my left arm in the baggage compartment behind the pilots back, which meant I was sitting at a slight angle. The other consideration in the side-by-sides is that the rudder pedals were an issue too. I had to semi-contort my feet so as not to get on his pedals ? and the pilot was close to my size too so the pedals were all the way forward.
I am building an RV-8 and have chosen the ?Tall Pilot? option which basically moves your head back a few inches (at the expense of the GIB) but it was very comfortable for me and I can set the pedals exactly where I want them ? and there is plenty of room for my shoulders. My co-pilot will be in the back and will not be bumping my shoulders or my rudder pedals. But of course, the drawback is, you have to have a co-pilot that doesn?t mind not sitting beside you. That?s not a problem for me. I would suggest that you find a sample of both versions and sit in them for a test fit and decide what feels best for you! 
__________________
Jim
RV-8 N223GT (reserved)
Finish - arrived 10/7/15
Fuselage - arrived 3/14/14
Wings - arrived 3/7/13
Builder # 83331
www.mykitlog.com/izzybear
VAF Dues gladly paid up till December 2020
"The ultimate responsibility of the pilot is to fulfill the dreams of the countless millions of earthbound ancestors who could only stare skyward and wish." - Unknown
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06-02-2015, 03:04 PM
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Moderator, Asst. Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Flower Mound, TX
Posts: 1,473
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Take a look at the RV-14. Might work better for you. Bottom line: go sit and fly in them.
__________________
Scroll
Sid "Scroll" Mayeux, Col, USAF (ret)
52F NW Regional/Aero Valley Airport, Roanoke TX (home of DR's Van Cave)
"KELLI GIRL" N260KM RV-7A tipper
Catch her on YouTube's "Because I Fly!" channel
Exemption waived.
Proud and grateful 2020 -=VAF=- Contributor
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06-02-2015, 03:14 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Auburn, WA
Posts: 668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtybirdy80
I recently acquired my Private Pilot license, and am looking into building my first airplane, and the Vans RV definitely stuck out to me, compared to all the other light sport and experimental aircraft out there.
My question is this...
I'm 6'4" tall and have pretty wide shoulders. The two models I've been looking at are the RV-7 and RV-8. Is one of them better than the other for tall people?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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Between the 7 & 8, it's 8 for the win in the extra room department. You should easily fit into the 8. But you will know for sure if you can find someone local to you and go try it on. As has been pointed out there are a number of things you can do to customize the fit for you as you build. From interior cushion height, to rudder pedal position, and finally the "tall man" option of moving the seat back rearwards a bit. Lots of options in the 8.
__________________
Andy Karmy
Covington WA
RV-8 - Flying!
RV-9A - sold
Dec 2019 Paid
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06-02-2015, 03:32 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 08A
Posts: 9,500
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Listen to Jim. The bigfoot problem is sorely under-appreciated.
Strictly in terms of comfort, I would not trade an 8 for a RV-14 either.
A Showplanes canopy kit for the 8 replaces the cockpit sills with narrower versions. There's is no rollbar/windshield frame, so you also get some leeway in how high you cut the canopy. Oregon Aero (and probably others too) will supply high-density front seatback foam cut very thin, which also makes a surprising difference. Choosing ground-adjustable pedals means no tube in the center of the floor, so long legs can be re-positioned when flying long legs.

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Dan Horton
RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
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06-02-2015, 03:44 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Hilton Head Island
Posts: 1,089
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Backseat Headroom.
Looking at Dan's 8 it sure appears his GIB ha more headroom then I do!
I have a Todd's canopy and believe it slopes down more in the back therefore reducing headroom.
I didnt really notice this until after thenbuild and when it was side by side of my friend Vans canopy. So I can only guess that I may have been able to adjust headroom with the Todd maybe an inch. .?.?.
I love the 8 with the Todd's canopy (Dan's canopy too!), but make sure you checkout the headroom in the back too for fit. I only have an issue when a guy 6' or above sit back there and that is due to their headset slightly touching the canopy.
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John Mastro
RV-8
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06-02-2015, 04:12 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
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Welcome
Quote:
Originally Posted by scrollF4
Take a look at the RV-14. Might work better for you. Bottom line: go sit and fly in them.
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Welcome Rob
+1 on this advise.
__________________
Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
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06-02-2015, 06:42 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: houston, texas
Posts: 900
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Big is in.
I think all of us that have big upper body's have been through this dilemma. I was 6'1"- 225lbs. with 46" shoulder when looking at the RV's to pick one out. That has changed I am glad to say. The best tip I can give you is go to the fly-ins and air-shows and try them on for size. What you like and feel good in is what you should get. I liked both the 8 and the 7, but felt to tight in a 4 or 6. Van dose make the tall pilot option for the 8 and some like that. I found that it was fine with the standard seating and in flight adjustable peddles. You would not go buy a pair of shoes with out trying them on would you? Hope this helps. Yours. R.E.A. III #80888
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06-02-2015, 07:16 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lake Country, B.C. Canada
Posts: 2,416
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a couple other 'fits'
definitely try on every model you can....
and don't forget; a hat and headset will use up a good inch of headroom...
the fix is a halo or clarity in-ear comm setup.
test-flying it? you may want to use a helmet, and not beat the heck out of your brand new canopy.
cold weather? you're gonna be wearing some kind of thicker gear, so even less elbow room.
some guys deal with tight footwell space by wearing nomex racing shoes, with thin soles etc.
if you're really keen on a side-by side, the AntiSplat mod to move the seatback 4" to the rear will create a bit of headroom and seating options.
if you sit in the -14, be prepared to write a cheque!  ( yep, I liked it that much!)
__________________
Perry Y.
RV-9a - SOLD!....
Lake Country, BC
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06-02-2015, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Pilot Hill, CA
Posts: 845
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtybirdy80
I recently acquired my Private Pilot license, and am looking into building my first airplane, and the Vans RV definitely stuck out to me, compared to all the other light sport and experimental aircraft out there.
My question is this...
I'm 6'4" tall and have pretty wide shoulders. The two models I've been looking at are the RV-7 and RV-8. Is one of them better than the other for tall people?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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I'm also a new pilot having received my PPL in 2014. I knew I wanted an RV and thought the RV-7 was going to be the best fit until my wife and I sat in one at Air Venture. I'm not as tall as you but I have wide shoulders. After only a few minutes inside the RV-7 with my wife next to me I began to have second thoughts. We were seriously cramped as described by others.
Unfortunately, Vans didn't have an RV-8 available for us to look at and sit in and the RV-14 wasn't out yet.
I began to earnestly read the comments of folks like Dan Horton, Andy, David and other's with RV-8's and began to change my mind. It wasn't until I flew back seat in an RV-8 and sat in the front that I knew for sure it was the RV for me (us).
Now I own one and enjoy it very much. My only regret is that I didn't build it. Maybe some day. For now I'm logging time to gain competence and build confidence before taking my wife up with me. I figure 40 hours outta do it.
What ever RV you decide on, I doubt you would be unhappy. They are truly amazing aircraft.
__________________
Charlie
RV-8
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