Van's Air Force
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short pilot
- Thread starter crashley
- Start date
Geico266
Well Known Member
I would call Vans to see what the minimum height of the -12 pilot would be. What I would be concerned about is reaching the peddles / inseam length and full deflection of the peddles. Anything can be made to fit, it will just take some planning. There are peddle extensions that have been designed for shorter pilots so that is an option after certification.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Last edited:
I am that same height . I added another forward setting on the pilot seat mount . (about 2 inchs forward of the most forward setting) I also made some extensions for the rudder pedals ( about 2 inches). Thats a total of 4 inches of adjustments made to feel comfortable at the controls. I have 52 hours flying with these modifications and it works just fine.
Only one downside to this. I now have the stick in my belly when I pull all the way to the stops. If I had put the 4 inches on the pedals and not moved the seat this would not be a problem. Well its really not a problem. I just need to lose the gut. Or I could bend the stick forward just a bit.
Brad Stiefvater
Only one downside to this. I now have the stick in my belly when I pull all the way to the stops. If I had put the 4 inches on the pedals and not moved the seat this would not be a problem. Well its really not a problem. I just need to lose the gut. Or I could bend the stick forward just a bit.
Brad Stiefvater
I also am 5'4" and am building am RV12. Last week I visited Vans and tried fitting into their demo RV12. The Van's folks were very helpful and I was actually assisted by Van himself!
I am currently working through the details of the modifications with chief engineer Ken Krueger. I am looking for a permanent fix which will not require me to use cushions or clamp-on rudder pedal extensions.
For me it appears that the best fit will be achieved with the following mods:
1) FlightLine interiors will make the left seat with 1.5" extra cushion in the seat and 2.5" extra cushion in the back rest.
2) The control stick needs to be rebent so that it is positioned 1" more forward.
3) The rudder pedal assembly needs to be cut and a 3.5" extension welded in place.
I will provide drawings for all these mods to Vans. If Ken approves he will provide a letter that I will present to the DAR during the certification so that it still qualifies as an ELSA.
Good Luck! Bob
I am currently working through the details of the modifications with chief engineer Ken Krueger. I am looking for a permanent fix which will not require me to use cushions or clamp-on rudder pedal extensions.
For me it appears that the best fit will be achieved with the following mods:
1) FlightLine interiors will make the left seat with 1.5" extra cushion in the seat and 2.5" extra cushion in the back rest.
2) The control stick needs to be rebent so that it is positioned 1" more forward.
3) The rudder pedal assembly needs to be cut and a 3.5" extension welded in place.
I will provide drawings for all these mods to Vans. If Ken approves he will provide a letter that I will present to the DAR during the certification so that it still qualifies as an ELSA.
Good Luck! Bob
Short and Tall
We have a slightly different situation. There are 4 of us that fly the airplane. My daughter is 5'2" and my partner is 6'2". The tall pilot has no difficulty fitting. We installed a forward adjustment for the seat and she also uses a back cushion. No problems. Full control of the rudders and brakes and stick. The crotch strap won't fit but everything else does.
If we had snap on rudder extensions that would be better but we have not figured a way of doing that. If anybody has a design idea we would certainly like to hear about it.
Richard
We have a slightly different situation. There are 4 of us that fly the airplane. My daughter is 5'2" and my partner is 6'2". The tall pilot has no difficulty fitting. We installed a forward adjustment for the seat and she also uses a back cushion. No problems. Full control of the rudders and brakes and stick. The crotch strap won't fit but everything else does.
If we had snap on rudder extensions that would be better but we have not figured a way of doing that. If anybody has a design idea we would certainly like to hear about it.
Richard
Rudder Extension
How about a permanently mounted (bolted on) extension in the shape of a "U"? The tall pilot would place his feet on the original rudder pedals and underneath the extensions that wrap around and over his foot, similar to stirrups . I think that it is feasible, but the details would have to designed along with some trial and error fitting.
Joe
How about a permanently mounted (bolted on) extension in the shape of a "U"? The tall pilot would place his feet on the original rudder pedals and underneath the extensions that wrap around and over his foot, similar to stirrups . I think that it is feasible, but the details would have to designed along with some trial and error fitting.
Joe
RGaines
Richard,
My wife is 5'2" as well. How far foward did you install the extra seat run?...same distance as the other two?
Pete
Richard,
My wife is 5'2" as well. How far foward did you install the extra seat run?...same distance as the other two?
Pete
