jdm
Registered Users
- Joined
- May 29, 2013
- Messages
- 61
- Reaction score
- 4
What mods have been done to allow us taller pilots to fit into an S1? I'm only 6' (210lb) but mostly torso (72" tall but only 31" inseam). Yesterday I flew down to take a pre-buy look at N722DC (on barnstormers) and brought my new parachute, a Softie backpack, purchased and packed by Alan Silver himself, with the bulk at the bottom, i.e., for a Pitts. Sitting on the bare plywood seat pan, my head was barely more than finger-width from the canopy; with a headset, it was wedged (yes, that's right: my head was wedged ;-)
N722DC was plans built in '87, but the plans aren't avail, so who knows what they built. That seems late for a short fuselage, tho. I took a few measurements, which would be interesting to compare:
So, is N722DC just built small? Or am I gonna need a "special" Pitts Special? (For criminey sakes, since when is 6' tall "big and tall"?)
I do fit in both seats of S2C, but I'd really prefer an S1S - much cheaper to own and operate. But ya needs to be able to close da damn canopy! (And no, I don't think open cockpit is particularly practical here in the Pacific Northwest.)
-- jdm
N722DC was plans built in '87, but the plans aren't avail, so who knows what they built. That seems late for a short fuselage, tho. I took a few measurements, which would be interesting to compare:
- my butt-to-head, sitting upright against a wall: 38.5" (out of 72")
- N722DC seat pan to top of turtledeck: 36"
- N722DC canopy rail-to-rail width at seat back: 21"
- N722DC seat back to control panel: 30"
- N722DC seat back to horizontal stab: 41.5"
So, is N722DC just built small? Or am I gonna need a "special" Pitts Special? (For criminey sakes, since when is 6' tall "big and tall"?)
I do fit in both seats of S2C, but I'd really prefer an S1S - much cheaper to own and operate. But ya needs to be able to close da damn canopy! (And no, I don't think open cockpit is particularly practical here in the Pacific Northwest.)
-- jdm
