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I train people to slide the seats all the way aft and step into the front beginning by placing their inboard foot on the ledge in front of the seat and inboard of the stick. The ability to slide the seat another inch or two aft would be beneficial.
This is the key to getting in and out of the RV10 front seats. Without instruction people tend to step in with their left foot all the way to the floor and then sit on the seat. Guess what, the right leg is now outside of the door opening on the wing. Know you have to fold it up and get it past the door post. Stepping on the ledge just forward of the seat keeps you higher, then lean against the seat backrest without lowering yourself. You can then slip your right leg past the door post very easily. After both legs are inside just lower your self into the seat. That being said all RV's (and most other low wing designs) require some arm strength when getting out. I've had 80 year old get in and out with no issue once I show them how to do it. As others have said the back seat is much easier get in and out of. I wouldn't let it deter you.
Very helpful. How about getting out?
Very helpful. How about getting out
It is easy to grab the rain gutter/door channel on the -10 and/or the steel tube that runs down the center of the windscreen.
Gary has it right. The trick is to bring your outboard leg aboard before sliding down into the seat. I added a few notes. To egress just reverse. Strangely, imho most people get out okay. Also getting in/out of the rear seats is very easy - just step onto the aft floor. I do carry a 2 step folding plastic step ladder for my wife to get up onto the wing. I don’t need it (I’m a spry 77 y.o.) but if I did I’d tie a cord to it, haul it up after me then throw it in the back.
Certainly one reason for building the RV15. If you think the RV is a challenge try a Cub. Mine is on 31” tires in the cold weather and floats in the sumner. I have to say my wife is a trooper. We are both 65 and she loves to fly with me. She just wants my to park so no one can see her getting out or in
I flew my -10 from age 70 to 80 without any great difficulty. My knees would get a little stiff after 3-4 hr flights. My late wife had severe arthritis and 17 joint replacements. She used a 1 step plastic folding stool to get up on the wing. She also found it helpful to cover the seat cushion with a towel, so that she could step in and get centered on the seat, then step on the ledge, and finally down to the floor.
You forgot to list the 3
Part of the trick is using the center overhead front support bar and the fiberglass door opening frame. Both are very ridged and can easily support a 220 lb. person. Finding a 10 with a handle on the cabin top rear might also be good. Use the door frame as support while stepping in but a handle might it easier but does add a little drag.
The 3 never gets any love.
Sounds like the hokey-pokey.
While I was recovering from a right knee operation I had trouble getting onto the wing too, on the pilot's side. I got a folding step stool, which worked great. I put a length of paracord on it so I could pull it up behind me and use it for deplaning when I got to my destination. It also facilitates checking the top bolt on my rudder during preflight inspection. The shorter of these two (8.5 inch) worked perfectly for me.
Just to be clear, avoid 2 people on the steps at the same time, especially if there are already people in the back seat.
Mac,
The other problem of course was getting out of the airplane. Allan Nimmo's EZ Exit Bar for getting out and that folding stool for getting in got me back flying at least a month sooner than would have otherwise been possible.
My CFI/transition trainer had an RV-6A with tip-up. He related the time he and his wife tried to get on the wings at the same time, the tail came down, and the canopy slammed down on her hand.
